Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has clarified why no physical remains were recovered from terrorists neutralised during recent United States airstrikes in Nigeria, attributing it to the advanced nature of the weapons used.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, Musa explained that the strikes employed sophisticated munitions, including Tomahawk missiles, which destroyed targets without leaving visible traces. “They wouldn’t know, because the way they were neutralised, you wouldn’t see anything. It’s a new kind of weapon that was used, the Tomahawks,” he said.
Addressing reports that some of the missiles failed to explode, the Defence Minister said such outcomes were part of military tactics. “That is all part of the tactics. In conflict attack, you deceive your enemy. Those are all part of it,” Musa noted, highlighting the strategic dimension of modern warfare.
The minister added that while the US-led airstrikes were underway, Nigerian security forces were simultaneously conducting coordinated attacks on other terrorist positions across the country. He assured the public that these combined operations had already yielded tangible results.
“At least Nigerians are seeing the results, and they will see more things coming ahead,” Musa said, stressing that the operations were ongoing and aimed at further weakening terrorist networks.
This revelation comes amid public curiosity and some skepticism over the lack of recoverable evidence following high-profile airstrikes targeting insurgents in Nigeria. The Defence Ministry’s explanation underscores the evolving nature of counterterrorism operations, which increasingly rely on precision-guided weapons that minimise collateral damage but complicate post-strike verification.
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Military analysts note that such strikes reflect a new phase in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, combining foreign intelligence and advanced technology with local operations to maximise impact. The Defence Minister’s remarks signal continued cooperation between Nigerian forces and international partners in combating terrorism, with more strategic operations expected in the coming months.
Nigerians have been reassured that security agencies remain vigilant and committed to protecting the country from extremist threats while employing innovative tactics to achieve decisive results.
