DHQ Confirms Niger Airstrikes, Says 70 Bandits Killed In Shiroro

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Sunday defended the recent air interdiction operations carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the strikes were targeted at armed bandits and not civilians.

Naija News reports that this followed allegations by residents of the Guradnayi community near Kusasu that an airstrike conducted in the early hours of Sunday may have affected civilian settlements, destroying houses and causing panic in the area.

In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the operations were based on “credible and actionable intelligence”, indicating that armed bandits had converged at Lukupe Village in Shiroro LGA on May 9, 2026.

According to the statement, the Nigerian Army UAV Command carried out a series of coordinated airstrikes between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10.

The operations reportedly targeted identified locations in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages.

The Defence Headquarters maintained that the strikes were carefully planned and directed at known terrorist hideouts.

“The operations were meticulously planned and executed based on credible, actionable intelligence confirming the convergence of terrorists at those specific locations,” the statement read.

“Contrary to the narrative being circulated, the strikes were precisely targeted at identified terrorist enclaves and achieved their intended military objectives, neutralizing approximately seventy armed bandits in Kusasu alone.

“These are armed groups who had been tracked and confirmed as hostile elements actively planning attacks on civilian communities and military assets in the area.”

The military further stated that the targeted locations had been under surveillance prior to the strikes, adding that the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in troubled communities across the state.

The Defence Headquarters also dismissed claims that civilians were present within the strike zones during the operation.

It argued that residents of affected communities had earlier relocated voluntarily to Sarkin Pawa due to heightened insecurity in the area.

According to the military, this development weakened allegations that non-combatants were caught in the bombardment.

The statement added that post-strike assessments indicated significant terrorist casualties, while surviving fighters were reportedly seen fleeing the area on motorcycles toward Zango.

Despite the military’s explanation, residents of the Guradnayi community alleged that parts of their settlement were affected during the operation.

A resident, Mr Kasim Abbas, claimed that explosions rocked the area during the overnight raid, leaving some houses damaged.

“The military first dropped a bomb near the river in Kusasu, while the second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi,” he alleged.

Abbas, however, said he could not immediately confirm the number of casualties resulting from the incident.

The allegations have since triggered concerns among locals over the conduct of aerial operations in communities battling banditry and insurgent attacks.

Reacting to the development, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Magaji, said the state government was yet to receive comprehensive details regarding the incident.

Magaji noted that such military operations are usually coordinated from Abuja.

“I am yet to receive the full details of the incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that relevant military formations had been directed to verify claims of possible civilian casualties arising from the operation.

However, it maintained that the strikes achieved their primary objective of targeting armed bandits threatening communities and security formations in the area.

The DHQ also urged members of the public and the media to avoid circulating unverified reports capable of creating panic or undermining ongoing security operations.

It stressed that military offensives in the region remained focused on dismantling criminal camps and restoring normalcy in affected communities across Niger State.