May 10, (THEWILL) — The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that recent aerial bombardments carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State were targeted at armed bandit hideouts and not civilians, dismissing reports alleging civilian casualties during the operation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, said the operation was based on credible intelligence which revealed the gathering of heavily armed bandits at Lukupe Village and surrounding locations within Shiroro LGA.
According to him, the Nigerian Army UAV Command executed multiple air interdiction missions between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10, targeting identified criminal enclaves in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages.
Onoja said post-strike intelligence assessments and feedback from local sources confirmed the precision and effectiveness of the operation, particularly in Kusasu, Katerma, and Bokko communities where the strikes achieved their objectives.
He disclosed that about 70 armed bandits were neutralised in Kusasu alone, while surviving fighters were observed evacuating and gathering the remains of their dead colleagues for burial.
The DHQ spokesman further revealed that aerial surveillance recorded over 200 armed fighters on motorcycles retreating towards Zango after the strikes, while additional groups were seen advancing from Bokko, suggesting attempts by the criminal elements to regroup for fresh attacks on nearby communities and security formations.
He added that another armed group converging at Kopa, east of Mongoro, was also identified as planning possible attacks on government and security infrastructure before the military intervention disrupted the movement.
Refuting reports of civilian casualties, Onoja stated that residents of the affected communities had relocated to Sarkin Pawa before the operation commenced, thereby undermining claims that innocent civilians were present in the targeted areas at the time of the bombardment.
“This fact undermines claims that innocent civilians were present in the strike zones at the time,” he stated.
The military spokesman, however, noted that relevant military formations had been directed to investigate and verify allegations of civilian casualties, if any, as part of standard post-operation procedures.
He reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protecting law-abiding citizens while adhering strictly to established rules of engagement and operational laws guiding military activities.
Onoja also urged the media and members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified reports capable of emboldening criminal groups, weakening troop morale, and undermining public confidence in ongoing counter-banditry operations.
“The Armed Forces will continue to pursue and neutralise all threats to national security with precision, professionalism and resolve,” he added.
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