…Military says intelligence-driven strikes hit terrorist enclaves in Kusasu, Kuduru
…Niger residents report panic, damaged homes after overnight bombardment
By Peter Taiwo
The Nigerian military has defended recent air operations carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the strikes were directed at armed bandits and not civilian communities, despite growing allegations from residents that non-combatants may have been affected.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters said the operation followed credible intelligence reports indicating the gathering of armed bandits at Lukupe Village in Shiroro on May 9, 2026.
According to the military, coordinated air interdiction missions were conducted by the Nigerian Army UAV Command between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10. The targeted locations included Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu and Kuduru villages, all identified as suspected terrorist enclaves.
The Defence Headquarters maintained that the operation was carefully planned and executed to neutralise hostile elements allegedly preparing attacks against civilian communities and security formations within the area.
The statement noted that the military relied on “credible and actionable intelligence” before authorising the strikes, stressing that the operation achieved its intended objective.
Military authorities claimed that approximately 70 armed bandits were neutralised during the operation in Kusasu alone, describing the affected individuals as dangerous criminal elements who had been under surveillance.
According to the statement, surviving fighters were seen fleeing the area on motorcycles towards Zango after the bombardment.
The military further argued that reports of civilian casualties were inconsistent with intelligence available to security agencies, insisting that many residents in the affected axis had earlier relocated voluntarily to Sarkin Pawa due to heightened insecurity.
Defence Headquarters officials said the evacuation of civilians from vulnerable communities was part of ongoing efforts to safeguard residents during military operations against criminal groups operating in the area.
Despite the military’s position, concerns have continued to emerge from local residents over the possible impact of the strikes on nearby settlements.
Residents of Guradnayi community near Kusasu alleged that one of the airstrikes hit residential areas in the early hours of Sunday, damaging several houses and creating panic among villagers.
A resident, Mr. Kasim Abbas, alleged that two separate bombs were dropped during the operation, with one landing near a river in Kusasu while another reportedly struck Guradnayi community.
He, however, said he could not independently verify the number of casualties resulting from the incident.
The allegations have heightened anxiety among residents already grappling with repeated attacks by armed groups and the effects of ongoing military operations across parts of Niger State.
Reacting to the development, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Magaji, said the state government was still awaiting comprehensive details regarding the incident.
Magaji noted that air operations of such nature are usually coordinated from Abuja, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the actual circumstances surrounding the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that relevant military formations had been directed to verify claims of civilian casualties where necessary.
The military reiterated that its operations remain focused on restoring peace and dismantling criminal networks responsible for persistent attacks and kidnappings in the region.
Authorities also appealed to members of the public and the media to avoid circulating unverified reports capable of creating panic or undermining ongoing security efforts.
The Shiroro axis of Niger State has witnessed repeated attacks by bandit groups in recent years, prompting intensified military operations aimed at curbing insecurity and protecting rural communities.
