Military Denies Civilian Deaths in Niger Airstrikes, Claims 70 Bandits Killed

The Defence Headquarters has firmly refuted claims of civilian deaths resulting from Nigerian military airstrikes in Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State. In a statement released Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, clarified that the operation, conducted on May 10, 2026, was a precise response to intelligence indicating a convergence of armed bandits in Lukupe Village. The Nigerian Army UAV Command executed multiple air interdiction strikes on suspected bandit hideouts, ensuring that the bombardments were 'precise on target.'

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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. Subsequently, on the 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. Further reports from local sources confirmed that the aerial interdiction was precise on target at Kusasu, Katerma and Bokko. See video footage. It was gathered that about 70 bandits were hit and killed in Kusasu.

According to Onoja, local intelligence sources corroborated the effectiveness of the strikes, reporting that approximately 70 bandits were eliminated in Kusasu alone, with surviving members seen evacuating their deceased colleagues. The military also reported sighting over 200 armed bandits on motorcycles moving towards Zango and another group advancing from Bokko, suggesting an attempt to regroup for potential attacks on security facilities and communities like Sarkin Pawa and Kuchi. The Defence Headquarters emphasized that all these threats were neutralized in a timely manner.

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The military took necessary steps to neutralise all these threats in a timely manner.

Addressing the allegations of civilian casualties, Onoja reiterated that the strikes were based on credible and actionable intelligence. He further noted that residents of the affected communities had already relocated to Sarkin Pawa prior to the operation. This detailed account from the Defence Headquarters aims to provide clarity and counter any misinformation regarding the conduct and outcome of the military operation in Niger State, underscoring the commitment to combating insecurity while minimizing collateral damage.

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The Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify rep