The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports circulating across media platforms claiming high casualty figures and alleged civilian deaths following an air-land operation in Zamfara State, describing them as unverified and speculative.
In a statement released via its official X handle on Thursday, May 14, and signed by Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, dated May 12, 2026, the military clarified that the operation was carried out on May 10, 2026, under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area.
According to the DHQ, the airstrike targeted a confirmed gathering of high-level terrorist commanders, identified through credible multi-source human intelligence as a coordination hub for planned attacks in the North West.
It explained that the operation was an air interdiction strike, noting that such missions do not allow immediate or precise ground-level casualty counts.
It stressed that claims circulating in the public space, including those attributed to both local and international outlets, are not official and remain unverified.
“The operation was an air interdiction strike, the nature of which does not permit an immediate and precise ground-level enumeration of casualties.
“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,” the statement read.
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The military maintained that a post-strike Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised during the operation.
On allegations of civilian casualties, the DHQ rejected the claims, insisting that no credible evidence has been established through official or independent verification processes.
“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,” it stated.
The Defence Headquarters further urged commentators and organisations making such claims to rely on verified evidence rather than unconfirmed reports, adding that the Armed Forces operate strictly within Rules of Engagement and international humanitarian law principles, including distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
It emphasised that civilians are never targeted in military operations and that all necessary precautions are taken to avoid harm.
The statement added that ground troops are still conducting clearance and exploitation operations in the area, while advising the public to rely only on official updates from the DHQ.
It also noted that any confirmed incidents involving civilian casualties would be communicated transparently in line with directives on professionalism and accountability in military operations.