Nigerian Military Denies Civilian Casualties, Says Airstrikes Killed Bandits in Niger State

The Nigerian military has denied reports of civilian deaths from airstrikes in Shiroro LGA of Niger State, saying the operation targeted armed bandits. It said intelligence-led UAV strikes hit several villages and killed about 70 fighters, with further operations ongoing to curb insecurity in the area.

The Nigerian military has denied reports claiming that recent airstrikes in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State led to civilian casualties, insisting instead that the operation successfully targeted armed bandits and killed dozens of fighters.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, explained that the strikes were carried out after intelligence reports indicated a large gathering of armed bandits at Lukupe Village in Shiroro LGA on May 9, 2026. Acting on this intelligence, the Nigerian Army UAV Command reportedly launched coordinated air interdiction operations aimed at identified locations linked to the suspected fighters.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the airstrikes were conducted between 11:59 p.m. on May 10 and 6 a.m., targeting multiple suspected bandit hideouts in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages. The military maintained that the operations were carefully planned and executed based on verified intelligence and surveillance.
Onoja stated that local intelligence confirmed the strikes were “precise on target” in Kusasu, Katerma, and Bokko villages, dismissing allegations that civilians were affected during the bombardment. He further claimed that about 70 bandits were killed in Kusasu village alone, while surviving fighters were reportedly seen evacuating bodies of their colleagues for burial after the attack.
The statement also described ongoing security challenges in the area, noting that armed groups continue to operate across difficult terrain and forests within Niger State. It added that intelligence reports later indicated the movement of more than 200 armed bandits on motorcycles heading towards Zango, while another group was allegedly advancing from Bokko in a coordinated attempt to regroup for possible attacks on Sarkin Pawa, Kuchi, and nearby security installations.
The Defence Headquarters emphasized that military operations in the region remain ongoing as part of broader efforts to dismantle armed groups, reduce banditry, and restore stability in affected communities across Niger State and surrounding areas.
Nigeria’s armed forces have increasingly relied on drone surveillance and air interdiction strikes to combat banditry in remote and forested regions where ground access is difficult. These operations are part of a wider counterinsurgency campaign aimed at disrupting criminal networks responsible for kidnappings, armed robbery, and attacks on rural communities.
However, military air operations in the country have also faced criticism in the past due to incidents where civilians were mistakenly killed during strikes, raising concerns among human rights groups and local communities about the accuracy of intelligence and targeting processes.