- post-operation intelligence revealed that several surviving bandits fled the area on motorcycles towards Zango
- The military maintained that the operation was carefully planned and focused on verified terrorist hideouts
- He said the exact number of casualties could not immediately be confirmed
The Nigerian military has defended its recent air operations in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting the strikes were aimed strictly at armed bandits despite allegations from residents that civilians may have been affected.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Eko Hot Blog gathered that Major General Michael Onoja, said the operations were carried out based on credible intelligence reports that armed groups had gathered at Lukupe Village on May 9, 2026.
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According to the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted coordinated airstrikes between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10 across identified locations, including Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages.
The military maintained that the operation was carefully planned and focused on verified terrorist hideouts.
It explained that the strikes successfully targeted hostile elements allegedly preparing attacks against nearby communities and security formations, adding that about 70 bandits were neutralised in Kusasu alone.
The statement further noted that residents in surrounding communities had earlier relocated to Sarkin Pawa for safety before the operation commenced, dismissing reports suggesting civilians were within the targeted areas.
According to the military, post-operation intelligence revealed that several surviving bandits fled the area on motorcycles towards Zango.
However, some residents of Guradnayi community near Kusasu claimed the airstrike affected civilian areas in the early hours of Sunday.
A resident, Kasim Abbas, alleged that one of the bombs landed near the river in Kusasu while another struck Guradnayi, damaging several houses and causing panic among residents.
He said the exact number of casualties could not immediately be confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, stated that he was still awaiting detailed reports on the incident, noting that such military operations are usually coordinated from Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters said military authorities had directed relevant formations to investigate claims of civilian casualties, if any, while reiterating that the operation achieved its objective of targeting armed criminal groups.
It also urged the public and media organisations to avoid spreading unverified information, stressing that ongoing military actions are aimed at improving security in the region.
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