The Nigerian military has defended recent air operations carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting the strikes were aimed at armed bandits despite claims from residents that civilians may have been affected.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters said the operation was based on credible intelligence indicating that armed groups had converged at Lukupe Village on May 9, 2026.
According to the military, the Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted coordinated air interdiction missions between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10, covering several locations including Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages in Shiroro LGA.
“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 Defence Headquarters maintained that the strikes targeted identified bandit hideouts and were successful in neutralising a large number of fighters.
“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,” the statement added.
“These are armed groups who had been tracked and confirmed as hostile elements actively planning attacks on civilian communities and military assets in the area.”
Military authorities also said intelligence suggested that some residents in nearby communities had relocated to Sarkin Pawa before the operation for safety, arguing this reduced the likelihood of civilian presence in the targeted locations.
The Defence Headquarters further stated that post-strike surveillance showed surviving fighters fleeing the area on motorcycles toward Zango after the bombardment.
The clarification followed reports from residents of Guradnayi community near Kusasu, who alleged that an airstrike hit residential areas in the early hours of Sunday, May 10.
One resident, Kasim Abbas, claimed that homes were damaged during the incident, although the number of casualties could not be immediately confirmed.
“The military first dropped a bomb near the river in Kusasu, while the second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi,” he alleged.
Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, said he had not yet received full details of the incident, noting that such operations are usually coordinated from Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters said military formations had been directed to verify any claims of civilian casualties, while reiterating that the operation achieved its objective of targeting armed bandits.
Authorities also urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information, stressing that ongoing operations are aimed at restoring stability and protecting communities affected by banditry.