By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerian military on Wednesday it is assessing the impact of recent joint airstrikes with US forces targeting terrorist locations.
According to Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, intel confirmed terrorists were present in the targeted areas, but details are still being compiled.
He said the military is monitoring possible terrorist movement and working with field commanders to prevent infiltration into communities. Civilians are urged to stay vigilant and share credible information.
“There is a process of battle damage assessment. We are still in that process, and once it is completed, we will communicate our observations to the public. In due course, we will give you all the information you require from the US–Nigeria strikes,”Onoja said.
He explained that intelligence reports confirmed the presence of terrorists in the locations targeted before the strikes were carried out, noting that operational secrecy sometimes necessitated limited public disclosure.
“Terrorists are ubiquitous; we cannot confine them to one location. Intelligence reports confirmed their presence in those areas prior to the strikes being conducted. The fact that it was not publicised was for operational security reasons,” he stated.
Onoja added that the military was monitoring possible movement of terrorists away from the strike locations and working closely with field commanders to prevent infiltration into nearby communities.
“We are communicating with all force commanders in identified threat areas to ensure terrorists do not assimilate into communities and cause further havoc,” he said, adding that the armed forces were mobilising civilians to remain vigilant and share timely intelligence with security agencies.
He also appealed to members of the public who might be in possession of ammunition remnants or materials linked to the airstrikes to hand them over to security agencies for safe handling.
Responding to criticism surrounding the joint operation, Onoja said it was not the responsibility of the armed forces to respond to every public statement, noting that such matters fall within the purview of other relevant agencies.
On recent suicide bombing incidents, the DDMO revealed that the arrest of a suspected attacker earlier in the week had disrupted terrorist plans and logistics, stressing that intelligence-led operations would continue to prevent future attacks.
