By Harriet Tornguvan
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties during a recent military operation in Zamfara State, describing casualty figures circulating in sections of the media as speculative and unverified.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the DHQ said the operation carried out on May 10, 2026, by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, targeted a confirmed gathering of terrorist kingpins at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to the military high command, the location was identified through credible multi source human intelligence as a coordination hub for planned attacks against communities across the North West region.
The DHQ explained that the operation involved an air interdiction strike, noting that such missions do not allow for immediate and precise enumeration of casualties on the ground.
It stated that the varying casualty figures being reported by some local and international media organisations do not reflect the official position of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“The official position remains that several terrorists were neutralised, as confirmed by a Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the strike,” the statement said.
The Defence Headquarters also rejected allegations of civilian casualties being circulated by some groups and international human rights organisations, insisting that no credible or substantiated evidence had established that civilians were affected during the operation.
It maintained that the target location was a confirmed terrorist enclave occupied solely by armed non-state actors posing direct threats to innocent residents in the region.
The military urged individuals and organisations making allegations of civilian casualties to rely on verified evidence rather than unconfirmed reports and social media claims capable of undermining ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, the Armed Forces of Nigeria stated that all military operations are conducted under strict Rules of Engagement and in compliance with International Humanitarian Law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
The DHQ stressed that civilians are never deliberately targeted and that operational measures are always taken to minimise the risk of civilian harm.
It added that ground troops were continuing exploitation and clearance operations in the affected area, while advising the public to rely only on information released through official Defence Headquarters channels.
The military further assured that any confirmed incidents involving civilian casualties would be communicated appropriately in line with directives on transparency and professionalism in military operations.
