The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that the assessment of damage from the recent United States strikes carried out alongside Nigerian forces is still in progress.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the military would make its findings public once the evaluation is concluded.
His remarks came amid public debate over the effectiveness of the strikes.
“On the United States strikes in conjunction with Nigerian forces, there is a process of battle damage assessment. We are still in that process, and I can assure you that once that is completed, we will communicate to the public all our observations. In due course, we will give you all the information that you require from the U.S.–Nigeria strikes,” Onoja said.
United States President Donald Trump had announced on Christmas Day that American forces carried out lethal strikes on Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria.
The Federal Government later confirmed the joint operation, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism collaboration between both countries.
Addressing questions on whether terrorists were present at the targeted locations, Onoja said intelligence reports had confirmed their presence prior to the strikes.
“You know, terrorists are ubiquitous, and we cannot confine them to one location. Of course, there is evidence to show that they are in the Sahel. So we can also take it further given the proximity of the Sahel to Sokoto. Intelligence reports have also confirmed their presence there before those strikes were conducted against them. So, yes, they were there, because those strikes were based on intelligence reports.
“They have confirmed their presence in those areas. The fact that it was not publicised is sometimes for operational security reasons,” he said.
He added that the armed forces are also working with civilians, encouraging them to provide timely intelligence to support security operations.
Onoja said the military is tracking the movement of terrorists beyond the strike locations and liaising with field commanders to stop them from infiltrating communities.
“We are monitoring them, and we are doing the necessary things, communicating with all the force commanders in the areas that we have identified as threat areas, so that they will prevent them from assimilating into the community and causing further havoc. And as time goes on, you will hear about all the activities that we are doing. You know, it’s important that while we are acting, we keep it confidential. With time, I will call you here and brief you about all the things that we are doing.
“Also, we are mobilising the civilian population so that they will be vigilant and give information to the military and other security agencies, so that any issue of insecurity or any movement of these terrorists can be acted on quickly.
“The truth is that security or insecurity can only be addressed through the cooperation of every member of society. It’s called the whole-of-society approach,” he said.
Responding to criticism of the joint strikes, the defence spokesman said the Armed Forces are not obligated to react to every public opinion, noting that relevant agencies are responsible for addressing such matters.
“Every agency has its functions. It is not for the Armed Forces to focus on what some people in society do not agree with in our activities. Ours is to focus on our kinetic operations and, as much as possible, conduct non-kinetic operations when necessary. I believe that there are relevant agencies who are tasked to consider such statements if they are against or for the country. And I believe that they are doing so,” he said.
Onoja also urged anyone who may have picked up ammunition or fragments from the operation to hand them over to security agencies for safe disposal.
“We don’t expect anybody to take away those materials… they should return them to the military or security divisions so that we can disarm those things before they cause greater damage,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that the armed forces would sustain operations against terrorist groups in the new year.