An airstrike targeting armed bandits in Shiroro Local Council of Niger State has triggered conflicting claims over civilian casualties after residents alleged that some non-combatants were killed during the military operation.
Residents said heavily armed bandits, believed to number more than 500, invaded parts of Shiroro and neighbouring Munya Local Council after reportedly crossing into the area from Zamfara and Kaduna states.
The movement of the armed men reportedly forced residents of communities including Kuchi, Chibani and Zagzaga in Munya Local Council to flee their homes over fears of an impending attack.
Sources in the affected communities said the bandits assembled in Kusasu community in Shiroro on Saturday night before moving towards Chibani and Zagzaga.
A resident claimed that the Nigerian Air Force launched a swift operation against the suspected bandits in Kusasu, but said some civilians were caught in the bombardment.
“We reliably gathered that the bandits had assembled and slept at Kusasu community in Shiroro on Saturday before crossing over to Chibani en route Zagzaga community,” the source said.
“A swift reaction from the Air Force invaded the area, and while targeting the bandits in Kusasu on Saturday, some civilians lost their lives. But we have yet to ascertain the number of civilians killed.”
The source also alleged that several houses in Kusasu were damaged during the airstrike.
Chairman of Munya Local Council, Aminu Najume, said the armed men were believed to have entered the area through Chukun Local Council in neighbouring Kaduna State.
Security operatives have since been deployed to the affected communities.
However, the Defence Headquarters rejected claims that civilians were killed in the operation.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, the military said the strikes followed intelligence reports indicating that armed bandits had gathered in Lukupe Village in Shiroro on May 9, 2026.
According to the statement, the Nigerian Army UAV Command carried out multiple air interdiction strikes between 11:59 p.m. on May 10 and 6:00 a.m. on suspected hideouts in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages.
Onoja said intelligence sources confirmed that the strikes were “precise on target” in Kusasu, Katerma and Bokko villages.
He added that about 70 bandits were killed in Kusasu alone, while surviving fighters were seen evacuating bodies for burial.
Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, also defended the operation, insisting that no innocent civilians were killed.
“It was a very successful military action against the terrorists. No civilian was killed. The only people killed were the terrorists and their informants in Shiroro,” Magaji said.
“Before the military operation began, we warned civilians to evacuate, which they did. The only people left were the terrorists and their informants.”
