The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties and disputed casualty figures from the recent military operation in Zamfara State, insisting that only terrorists were targeted during the strike.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, the military described circulating reports on the operation as “misleading” and “unverified.”
According to the Defence Headquarters, the operation was carried out on May 10, 2026, by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The military said the target was “a confirmed high-level gathering of terrorist ring leaders,” identified through “credible, multi-source human intelligence” as a coordination point for planned attacks against communities in the North-West.
“The operation was an air interdiction strike, the nature of which does not permit an immediate and precise ground-level enumeration of casualties,” Onoja stated.
“Accordingly, the varying figures presently in circulation, including those attributed to international and local media outlets, are speculative, unverified, and do not represent the official position of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
He maintained that the official military assessment confirmed that “several terrorists were neutralised” following a Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the strike.
The Defence Headquarters also rejected allegations of civilian casualties reportedly raised by some groups and international human rights organisations.
“No credible, substantiated evidence of civilian casualties has been established through any official assessment or independent verification,” the statement said.
“The identified target was a confirmed terrorist structure, occupied exclusively by armed non-state actors who posed a direct and active threat to civilian lives.”
The military further urged critics and organisations making allegations to rely on verified information rather than “unconfirmed social media reports or adversarial sources that serve to undermine legitimate counter-terrorism operations.”
Reaffirming its operational standards, the Defence Headquarters said the Armed Forces of Nigeria conduct its missions in line with international humanitarian principles.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria operate at all times under strict Rules of Engagement, in full compliance with the principles of International Humanitarian Law, including distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack,” Onoja stated.
“Civilians are never targets, and every operational measure is taken to prevent civilian harm.”
The Defence Headquarters disclosed that ground troops are continuing exploitation and clearance operations in the affected area, while advising the public to rely only on verified information released through official military channels.
“Any incidents of civilian casualties will be communicated to the public appropriately, in line with the CDS directive on professionalism and transparency in the conduct of Armed Forces of Nigeria operations,” the statement added.
