The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports alleging that civilians were killed during recent airstrikes carried out by the Nigerian military in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the operation was strictly targeted at armed bandits.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
The military said the air operation was based on intelligence reports which showed that armed bandits were gathering at Lukupe Village in Shiroro LGA on May 9, 2026.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Army UAV Command later conducted multiple air interdiction strikes between 11:59 p.m. on May 10 and 6 a.m. across suspected bandit locations in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru communities.
The Defence Headquarters explained that the strikes were part of ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to reduce insecurity, especially in areas that have experienced repeated attacks by armed groups.
The military said local intelligence confirmed that the airstrikes were accurate and hit their intended targets in Kusasu, Katerma and Bokko villages.
It further disclosed that about 70 armed bandits were killed in Kusasu alone during the operation, while surviving members of the group were seen evacuating the bodies of their dead colleagues.
“In line with the AFN mandate to conduct operations to rout out all forms of insecurity in the country, on 9 May 2026, intelligence reports indicated the convergence of armed bandits at Lukupe Village in Shiroro LGA,” the statement read.
It added that the strikes were carried out after careful monitoring of the movements of the suspected criminals.
“Subsequently, on 10 May 2026 between the hours of 1159pm to 6am, the Nigerian Army UAV Command acting on intelligence conducted multiple air strikes on different bandits locations including Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru Villages all in Shiroro LGA of Niger State,” it stated.
The military further said intelligence reports showed that more than 200 armed bandits on motorcycles were seen moving towards Zango, while another group from Bokko was advancing in the same direction.
According to the statement, the groups were believed to be attempting to regroup for possible attacks on nearby communities such as Sarkin Pawa, Kuchi, or security installations in the area.
It also noted that another group of armed men was sighted gathering at Kopa, east of Mongoro, raising concerns of possible coordinated attacks on security formations.
“The military took necessary steps to neutralise all these threats in a timely manner,” Major General Onoja said.
However, the Defence Headquarters strongly rejected reports circulating on social media and some other platforms claiming that civilians were among those killed during the operation.
It said the strikes were carefully planned and executed based on credible intelligence that confirmed the presence of terrorists in the affected locations.
“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 insisted that the targets of the airstrikes were known armed bandits and not civilian settlements.
“Contrary to the narrative being circulated, the strikes were precisely targeted at identified terrorist enclaves and achieved their intended military objectives, neutralizing approximately seventy armed bandits in Kusasu alone,” it added.
The DHQ also said preliminary post-strike assessments indicated that movements recorded after the operation were those of surviving criminal elements rather than civilians.
It added that relevant military formations had been directed to further investigate claims of civilian casualties in order to establish the true situation on the ground.
The Defence Headquarters urged members of the public and the media to avoid spreading unverified information that could mislead the public or undermine ongoing military operations.
It warned that false reports could affect troop morale and interfere with security efforts aimed at restoring peace in affected communities.
“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,” Onoja stated.
The clarification comes after reports circulated earlier on Sunday alleging that civilians were killed during an aerial bombardment in Guradnayi, a settlement near Kusasu in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Those reports had claimed that an unconfirmed number of residents lost their lives during the strikes, sparking concern among local communities and rights observers.
Shiroro LGA in Niger State has in recent years been one of the areas most affected by banditry and armed attacks in north-central Nigeria.
The area is home to several rural communities that have repeatedly suffered from kidnappings, killings, and displacement caused by armed groups operating in forested and difficult-to-access terrain.
The Nigerian military has conducted several air and ground operations in the region as part of broader efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore security.
Despite these efforts, insecurity has remained a major challenge, with bandits often moving between forests and remote villages to avoid security operations.
Authorities have continued to rely on intelligence-driven operations, combining air power and ground troops in an attempt to track and neutralise armed groups.
The latest incident has once again raised public debate about the accuracy of military operations, the risk of collateral damage, and the need for improved communication between security agencies and local communities.
While the Defence Headquarters maintains that only armed bandits were targeted in the latest strike, it has promised further investigation into all allegations of civilian harm.