Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties during a recent military operation in Zamfara State, maintaining that the airstrike targeted a gathering of terrorist leaders in the North-West region of Nigeria.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMOs), Major General Michael Onoja, described casualty figures circulating across various media platforms as “misleading, speculative, and unverified.”
According to the statement by Defence Headquarters, the operation was conducted on May 10 by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
The military said the location had been identified through credible multi-source intelligence as a coordination point for planned attacks against communities in the region.
“The official position remains that several terrorists were neutralised, as confirmed by a Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the strike,” the statement noted.
The Defence Headquarters explained that the mission was an air interdiction operation, stressing that such strikes do not permit immediate and precise casualty verification on the ground.
It therefore cautioned against relying on unofficial figures reported in local and international media.
The military also rejected allegations of civilian casualties raised in some quarters, including by international human rights organisations.
According to the statement, no credible or independently verified evidence has been established to suggest that civilians were affected during the operation.
The Defence Headquarters maintained that the target was a confirmed terrorist structure occupied by armed non-state actors posing a direct threat to civilian populations in the North-West.
“Civilians are never targets, and every operational measure is taken to prevent civilian harm,” the statement said.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) further stated that all operations are conducted under strict Rules of Engagement and in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
