The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that the battle damage assessment of the recent United States airstrikes carried out in partnership with Nigerian forces is still underway.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said the public will be fully updated once the assessment process is completed.
He stated:
“On the United States strikes in conjunction with Nigerian forces, we are still carrying out a battle damage assessment. Once it is completed, we will communicate our observations to the public.”
The clarification follows conversations among Nigerians questioning whether the airstrikes achieved their expected targets.
Maj. Gen. Onoja also confirmed that intelligence reports had established the presence of terrorists in the affected areas before the operation.
According to him, some details were not made public earlier due to operational security reasons, noting that the proximity of Sokoto to the Sahel contributes to terrorist movements in the region.
He added that security agencies are actively tracking terrorist activities and collaborating with force commanders to stop terrorists from infiltrating local communities.
“We are monitoring them closely and taking necessary steps to ensure they do not blend into communities and cause more havoc,” he said.
Onoja appealed to citizens to support the military by providing useful information, describing national security as a “whole-of-society responsibility.”
Responding to critics of the joint operation, he maintained that the Armed Forces will not be distracted by negative commentary.
“Our duty is to focus on our kinetic operations, not to respond to every opinion expressed in society,” he stated.
He also warned civilians against taking ammunition fragments or materials from the strike locations, urging them to hand such items over to security agencies for proper disarmament.
Maj. Gen. Onoja assured Nigerians that military operations against terrorists will continue robustly into the new year.