The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims that civilians were killed during recent aerial interdiction operations carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the strikes specifically targeted armed bandits based on credible intelligence.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted multiple airstrikes between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10, 2026, following intelligence reports of armed bandits converging at Lukupe Village and other locations within Shiroro LGA.
According to the statement, the strikes targeted identified terrorist enclaves in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages.
The DHQ stated that the operations were “meticulously planned and executed” and successfully neutralised several bandits, with about 70 reportedly killed in Kusasu alone.
It added that post-strike intelligence and local sources confirmed that surviving bandits were seen evacuating bodies of their dead colleagues for burial, while more than 200 armed fighters on motorcycles retreated towards Zango.
The military also revealed that another group from Bokko was seen advancing towards Zango, allegedly to regroup and possibly launch attacks on Sarkin Pawa, Kuchi, or government security infrastructure in the area.
“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 said.
Responding to allegations of civilian casualties, the DHQ maintained that residents in the affected communities had earlier relocated to Sarkin Pawa for safety before the operation commenced.
“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. This fact alone fundamentally undermines the claim that innocent residents were present in the strike zones at the time of the operation,” the statement added.
Nevertheless, the Armed Forces said relevant military formations had been directed to verify any allegations of civilian casualties.
The DHQ urged the media and the public to avoid spreading unverified reports, warning that such narratives could embolden criminal groups, undermine troop morale and weaken public confidence in ongoing military operations.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to pursue and neutralise all threats to national security with the precision, professionalism and resolve that the defence of Nigeria demands,” Major General Onoja stated.
