Nigerian Presidency Defends Intelligence-Driven Strike

The Nigerian presidency, through spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, defended the military operation targeting Abu-Manuki, an alleged commander of ISWAP and Boko Haram, which occurred around Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State. Onanuga stated that the operation was intelligence-driven, following a prolonged period of surveillance that began in December 2025.

He clarified that earlier reports mistakenly identified individuals involved and emphasized the operation's precision, which was based on multiple intelligence sources. The spokesperson highlighted the importance of maintaining public confidence in the military's counterterrorism efforts, cautioning against undermining operations through premature dismissals.

He referenced the complexities of asymmetric warfare and the evolving nature of intelligence gathering, noting that past declarations of insurgent leaders being dead, such as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, were often inaccurate. Onanuga reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces and international partners to continue operations in a challenging insurgent environment.