Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports alleging civilian casualties during recent aerial bombardments targeting bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The military said the air interdiction operations carried out between May 9 and May 10, 2026, targeted identified terrorist enclaves in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the DHQ stated that the operation followed credible intelligence reports indicating the gathering of armed bandits within the area.
According to the military, the Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted coordinated air strikes against the suspected criminal hideouts after intelligence revealed plans by the armed groups to attack communities and security facilities.
The DHQ disclosed that about 70 bandits were neutralised during the operation in Kusasu village alone.
“Further reports from local sources confirmed that the aerial interdiction was precise on target at Kusasu, Katerma and Bokko. It was gathered that about seventy bandits were hit and killed in Kusasu,” the statement said.
The military added that surviving bandits were later seen evacuating corpses of their colleagues while others fled towards Zango on motorcycles.
The DHQ rejected reports alleging civilian casualties, insisting that residents of the affected communities had earlier relocated to Sarkin Pawa for safety reasons before the operation.
The statement said this development contradicted claims that civilians were present within the strike locations during the operation.
However, the military noted that relevant formations had been directed to verify the allegations of civilian casualties, if any.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and conducting operations in accordance with established rules of engagement.
The DHQ also urged the media and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information capable of undermining ongoing security operations.
It stated that operations against armed groups threatening national security would continue across affected areas.
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