The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that an assessment of the recent air strikes carried out jointly by United States and Nigerian forces is still in progress.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while responding to questions from journalists. He said the military would make its findings public once the damage assessment is concluded.
The clarification follows 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 earlier announced on Christmas Day that American forces carried out lethal strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. The Federal Government later confirmed the operation as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.
Addressing concerns about whether terrorists were present at the targeted locations, Onoja said intelligence reports confirmed their presence before the strikes were conducted.
“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 working closely with civilians to strengthen intelligence gathering and are monitoring the movement of terrorists beyond the affected areas to prevent infiltration into 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.
Commenting on criticism surrounding the joint operation, Onoja said responding to every public opinion was not the responsibility of the armed forces, noting that other relevant agencies were tasked with 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.
He also appealed to members of the public who may have picked up ammunition or fragments from the strikes to return them to security agencies for safe handling.
“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.
Onoja assured Nigerians that military operations against terrorist groups would continue into the new year.
