Tomahawk strikes left no traces of terrorists – Defence Minister

 

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has explained that no physical remains were recovered after the recent United States airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State because of the advanced nature of the weapons deployed.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, Musa said the Tomahawk missiles used in the operation were designed to obliterate targets completely, leaving little or no visible evidence.

“You wouldn’t see anything because of the way they were neutralised. It is a new kind of weapon that was used – the Tomahawks,” the minister stated.

Responding to reports that some of the missiles allegedly failed to detonate, Musa described such incidents as part of military tactics meant to confuse the enemy.

“In conflict situations, deception is part of strategy. Those outcomes are all part of the tactics of war,” he said.

The defence chief assured Nigerians that the joint operation had recorded significant gains and that more breakthroughs were expected in the coming weeks.

“At least Nigerians are seeing the results, and they will see more things coming ahead,” he added.

Musa further disclosed that while the US operation was in progress, Nigerian security forces were simultaneously engaging other terrorist enclaves across different fronts.

“As we speak, the Nigerian Air Force, the Navy and the Army have been neutralising several locations. Within January alone, a lot has been achieved,” he said.

The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to sustaining coordinated operations until terrorism and banditry are decisively brought to an end.