CDS Olufemi Oluyede
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports alleging that civilians were killed during a recent aerial bombardment carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the operation specifically targeted armed bandits and terrorist hideouts.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the operation was based on “credible, actionable intelligence” indicating that armed bandits had converged at several locations within Shiroro LGA.
According to the DHQ, intelligence gathered on May 9, 2026, revealed the movement and assembly of terrorists around Lukupe Village and adjoining communities, prompting a coordinated aerial interdiction by the Nigerian Army UAV Command in the early hours of May 10.
The military said the airstrikes, conducted between 11:59 pm and 6:00 am, targeted identified bandit enclaves in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages.
The statement noted that local intelligence sources confirmed that the operation was “precise on target” in Kusasu, Katerma and Bokko, adding that about 70 armed bandits were neutralised in Kusasu alone.
“It was gathered that about Seventy (70) bandits were hit and killed in Kusasu. Others were sighted gathering the remains of their colleagues for burial while others on about 200 motorcycles moved towards Zango,” the statement read.
The DHQ further disclosed that another group of armed men from Bokko was seen advancing towards Zango, allegedly to regroup and either retreat or launch attacks on Sarkin Pawa and security formations in Kuchi.
“Meanwhile, another group were also seen converging at Kopa, East of Mongoro, suggesting a possible plan to attack government/security infrastructure in Mongoro. The military took necessary steps to neutralise all these threats in a timely manner,” the statement added.
Reacting to reports of civilian casualties, the Defence Headquarters described such claims as misleading and contrary to intelligence available to the military.
“Contrary to the narrative being circulated, the strikes were precisely targeted at identified terrorist enclaves and achieved their intended military objectives,” the DHQ stated.
The military also maintained that residents in the affected areas had relocated before the strikes took place.
“It is particularly instructive that, well ahead of the aerial interdiction, all local civilian communities within the general area had, out of an abundance of caution, voluntarily relocated to Sarkin Pawa for their safety,” the statement said.
“This fact alone fundamentally undermines the claim that innocent residents were present in the strike zones at the time of the operation.”
According to the DHQ, post-strike intelligence showed armed groups evacuating bodies and retreating from the affected locations, which it described as evidence that the operation targeted criminal elements rather than civilians.
“These are not the movements of a civilian population; they are the signature of a degraded but still mobile criminal force,” the military added.
Despite its position, the DHQ said military authorities had directed relevant formations to investigate the allegations of civilian casualties.
“Nonetheless, relevant military formations have been directed to verify the allegations of civilian casualties, if any,” the statement noted.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to protecting civilians and conducting operations within the rules of engagement and international law.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to the protection of all law-abiding citizens and conducts all operations in strict accordance with the rules of engagement and applicable laws,” the DHQ said.
The military also urged journalists and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified reports capable of undermining ongoing security operations.
“The Defence Headquarters urges the media and the public to exercise restraint and avoid amplifying unverified accounts that serve no purpose other than to embolden criminal elements, undermine troop morale, and erode public confidence in ongoing security operations,” the statement added.
It further warned that individuals spreading unverified allegations without seeking official clarification risk aiding terrorist propaganda.
“Individuals peddling unsubstantiated claims of civilian casualties without offering any credible evidence and without seeking official military response prior to publication risk becoming unwitting instruments of terrorist propaganda.”
