The clarification comes amid rising public debate and skepticism surrounding the announcement of the high-profile counterterrorism strike reportedly authorized with support from international partners.
According to the Presidency, earlier claims linking Al-Manuki to a 2024 operation in Kaduna State were the result of mistaken identity and intelligence misattribution.
Presidency Clarifies ISIS Commander Al-Manuki Kill Report
The controversy centers on Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, a senior ISWAP figure who was reportedly eliminated in a joint military operation involving Nigerian forces and the United States.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, addressed the issue in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that previous reports of Al-Manuki’s death in 2024 were inaccurate.
He explained that intelligence officials had now confirmed the earlier listing of the commander among those killed during operations around the Birnin Gwari forest axis was incorrect.
According to him, the error was due to “mistaken identity or misattribution in the fog of sustained counterinsurgency operations.”
How the Confusion Over Al-Manuki’s Death Happened
The Presidency explained that the earlier assumption about Al-Manuki’s death stemmed from ongoing military operations targeting insurgent groups across northern Nigeria.
Reports had previously suggested that he was among ISWAP commanders killed in a 2024 operation in Kaduna State. However, security agencies now say that assessment was wrong.
Bayo Onanuga stated that intelligence gathered after further surveillance revealed that Al-Manuki was not operating within the Birnin Gwari axis at the time of the earlier operation.
Officials now believe the earlier identification was a case of battlefield confusion, which is not uncommon in prolonged counterterrorism operations.
Details of the Latest Nigeria–US Military Operation
The Presidency confirmed that the most recent operation that led to Al-Manuki’s death followed months of intelligence gathering.
This included surveillance, communications monitoring, and intercepted phone data reportedly collected from December 2025.
Security operatives also tracked movements across several locations, including Abuja and Maiduguri, before the final strike was authorized.
Authorities initially aimed to capture the target alive, but the mission was later escalated into a kinetic strike based on operational assessments.
According to officials, multiple verification stages were completed before the action was approved.
They maintained that this time, the intelligence was precise and confirmed.
US Involvement and Official Statements
The operation was also linked to United States forces operating in coordination with Nigerian security agencies.
Former US President Donald Trump reportedly announced the strike on his Truth Social platform, describing Al-Manuki as a major global terrorist figure and a key ISWAP commander.
US defense officials also confirmed that he played a major role in coordinating attacks, hostage operations, and financial networks linked to ISIS activities in the Sahel region.
Footage reportedly released by US Africa Command showed precision strikes targeting high-value militant positions in northeastern Nigeria.
Government Reaction and National Security Position
The Nigerian government has defended the credibility of the operation, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in fighting terrorism.
President Bola Tinubu also reacted to the development, describing the operation as a significant blow to extremist networks operating in the region.
He praised the cooperation between Nigerian forces and international allies, particularly in intelligence sharing and operational execution.
The Presidency warned that misinformation or repeated doubts about verified military operations could undermine public confidence in national security efforts.
Background of Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki
According to available intelligence profiles, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known by multiple aliases, was born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State.
He was reportedly designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the United States Department of State in June 2023.
Security reports suggest he rose through the ranks of ISWAP following the killing of Mamman Nur in 2018 and later became linked to ISIS-aligned operational networks across Nigeria and the Sahel.
He was allegedly involved in coordinating attacks, logistics, and financial operations within extremist structures in the region.
Public Concerns and Historical Context
The clarification from the Presidency has revived public discussions about past cases where terrorist leaders were wrongly declared dead during military operations.
Nigeria has previously experienced similar controversies, including claims involving Boko Haram leadership, where reports of deaths were later disputed or reversed.
These incidents have fueled public skepticism, especially regarding high-profile security announcements.
However, authorities insist that modern intelligence systems, including surveillance and signal tracking, now reduce the chances of such errors.
The Presidency’s dismissal of claims that ISIS commander Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki was previously declared dead highlights ongoing challenges in counterterrorism reporting and intelligence accuracy.
While officials maintain confidence in the latest operation, the incident underscores the complexities of verifying battlefield intelligence in prolonged insurgency environments.
As Nigeria continues its partnership with international allies in fighting extremist groups, authorities stress the need for public trust and accurate reporting in national security matters.
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