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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties during a recent military operation in Zamfara State, describing the casualty figures circulating in sections of the media as speculative and unverified.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the operation was carried out on May 10, 2026, by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
According to the DHQ, the operation targeted what it described as a confirmed high-level gathering of terrorist ring leaders at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The military explained that the location had been identified through what it called “credible, multi-source human intelligence” as a coordination hub for planned attacks against communities across the North West region.
Major General Onoja stated that the mission involved an air interdiction strike, noting that such operations do not allow for the immediate and precise determination of casualty figures on the ground.
“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,” the statement read.
He maintained that the official position of the military remained that “several terrorists were neutralised,” based on a post-strike Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the operation.
The DHQ also rejected allegations of civilian casualties being circulated by some groups and media organisations, including international human rights bodies.
According to the military, no credible or substantiated evidence has established that civilians were affected during the operation.
“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 statement added.
The Defence Headquarters further urged individuals and organisations making such allegations to rely on verified evidence rather than unconfirmed reports from social media or what it described as adversarial sources.
Reaffirming its commitment to international standards, the military stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria conducts operations under strict Rules of Engagement and in compliance with International Humanitarian Law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack.
It stressed that civilians are never deliberately targeted and that operational measures are always taken to minimise the risk of civilian harm.
The DHQ disclosed that ground troops are continuing exploitation and clearance operations in the affected area and advised the public to rely only on official information released through Defence Headquarters channels.
It added that any verified incident involving civilian casualties would be communicated transparently in line with directives of the Chief of Defence Staff on professionalism and accountability in military operations.
