By Matthew Denis
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties in recent aerial interdiction operations in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, stating that the strikes targeted only confirmed bandit enclaves.
In a statement signed by Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, the military said intelligence had indicated a convergence of armed bandits at Lukupe Village on 9 May 2026. Acting on the information, the Nigerian Army UAV Command carried out multiple airstrikes between 11:59 p.m. on 10 May and 6 a.m. on locations in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages.
According to the statement, about 70 bandits were killed in Kusasu alone. Post-strike assessments reportedly showed terrorists gathering the remains of their colleagues for burial, while over 200 others on motorcycles moved towards Zango. Other groups were sighted advancing towards Zango and converging near Kopa, suggesting plans to attack government and security infrastructure in Mongoro and Kuchi.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations were “meticulously planned and executed based on credible, actionable intelligence” and that strikes were “precisely targeted at identified terrorist enclaves.” It added that all local civilian communities had voluntarily relocated to Sarkin Pawa ahead of the operation, undermining claims that residents were present in the strike zones.
“These are not the movements of a civilian population; they are the signature of a degraded but still mobile criminal force,” the statement read.
Nonetheless, the military said relevant formations had been directed to verify allegations of civilian casualties.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and said all operations are conducted in line with rules of engagement and applicable laws. It urged the media and public to avoid amplifying unverified accounts, warning that such reports could embolden criminal elements and undermine troop morale.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to pursue and neutralize all threats to national security with the precision, professionalism, and resolve that the defence of Nigeria demands,” the statement concluded.
