The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims circulating on social media alleging that civilians were killed during recent aerial bombardments in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the operation specifically targeted armed bandits.
The military said the coordinated air interdiction, carried out between May 9 and 10, 2026, was based on credible intelligence indicating the gathering of terrorists in parts of Shiroro, including Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the strikes were conducted by the Nigerian Army UAV Command and successfully neutralised scores of armed bandits, particularly in Kusasu village, where about 70 terrorists were reportedly killed.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military described reports of civilian casualties as misleading and unverified.
“The operations were meticulously planned and executed based on credible, actionable intelligence confirming the convergence of terrorists at those specific locations,” the statement said.
The military maintained that the strikes were precise and achieved their intended objectives, adding that local intelligence sources confirmed that the affected locations were occupied by armed groups planning attacks on nearby communities and security formations.
According to the Defence Headquarters, post-strike assessments showed surviving bandits evacuating the bodies of their dead colleagues, while over 200 armed fighters mounted on motorcycles were seen retreating towards Zango.
The military also stated that another group of armed elements was observed converging around Kopa, east of Mongoro, allegedly indicating plans to launch further attacks on government and security infrastructure.
The DHQ further argued that claims of civilian casualties were inconsistent with reports that residents of communities within the affected areas had earlier relocated to Sarkin Pawa for safety before the operation commenced.
“It is particularly instructive that all local civilian communities within the general area had voluntarily relocated to Sarkin Pawa well ahead of the operation,” the statement added.
The military, however, said relevant formations had still been directed to verify the allegations of civilian casualties “if any.”
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to conducting operations in line with established rules of engagement and international laws governing armed conflict.
It also urged the media and members of the public to avoid amplifying unverified information capable of undermining military operations and emboldening criminal groups.
The clarification follows the circulation of viral videos and reports alleging that civilians were affected during the aerial bombardments in parts of Shiroro, an area that has witnessed repeated bandit attacks and military offensives in recent months.
