The Defence Headquarters has clarified reports alleging civilian casualties during recent aerial interdiction operations conducted in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the military, the operations were carried out in line with the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s mandate to combat insecurity and followed credible intelligence indicating the gathering of armed bandits in several communities within the area.
The Defence Headquarters stated that between late Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday, Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted coordinated air strikes on identified bandit hideouts in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages.
A statement by the Director Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja explains that the strikes were precise and successful, with intelligence reports confirming that about seventy bandits were neutralized in Kusasu alone.
The military further disclosed that surviving armed groups were later seen evacuating bodies of their fallen members for burial, while more than two hundred fighters on motorcycles reportedly moved towards Zango.
Additional intelligence also indicated suspicious movements around Kopa, east of Mongoro, suggesting possible plans to attack security formations and nearby communities before the military intervention.
Responding to allegations that civilians may have been affected, the Defence Headquarters maintained that residents in the affected locations had earlier relocated to Sarkin Pawa for safety before the operation commenced.
It added that available intelligence and local reports confirmed that the strikes targeted terrorist enclaves and not civilian settlements.
Nevertheless, military authorities say relevant formations have been directed to investigate any claims of civilian casualties.