The Presidency has reaffirmed that the reported killing of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) leader, Al-Manuki, is genuine, dismissing recent doubts and speculation surrounding the development.

Government officials insisted that intelligence and security assessments have confirmed the death of the insurgent commander, who was said to have been neutralised in a coordinated counterterrorism operation.

According to the Presidency, the elimination of Al-Manuki represents a significant blow to terrorist operations in the Lake Chad and wider Sahel region, where ISWAP has maintained a presence over the years.

It also accused critics and sceptics of attempting to downplay or distort verified security successes recorded by Nigerian forces in collaboration with international partners.

Security authorities maintained that the operation was based on credible intelligence and supported by ongoing surveillance efforts targeting high-value terrorist figures.

The government urged Nigerians to rely on official security briefings rather than unverified social media claims regarding counterterrorism operations.

Officials added that the military remains committed to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups until they are fully degraded and neutralised across affected regions.