A military airstrike in Niger State has sparked controversy after a resident, Victor Solomon, claimed three of his children were killed during the operation, which targeted suspected terrorists in Shiroro Local Government Area. The strike, reportedly carried out on Sunday, hit Guradnayi village near Kusasu community in Galadima-Kogo District, leaving Solomon with severe facial injuries. He said he was asleep around 5 am when the bombing occurred and is now pleading for government assistance, stating, “I don’t know if I can survive this. I lost three children in the strike, and I sustained severe injuries to my face. I am in pain. We need help from the government.”
Local resident Gideon Bamaiyi confirmed the tragedy, revealing that 13 people, including seven children sheltering in his elder brother’s house, were killed. Six others were reportedly receiving treatment at a private hospital in Zumba, Shiroro LGA, while five victims, including a young girl, remained unconscious. The incident has raised serious concerns over civilian safety during military operations in the region, especially as bandits were said to have passed through the area earlier that day, prompting fears of imminent attacks.
Despite these reports, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, denied any civilian casualties. He confirmed that the military conducted aerial bombardment against terrorist hideouts in Shiroro but insisted only terrorists and their informants were killed. Magaji stated, “It was a very successful military action against the terrorists. No civilian was killed. The only people killed were the terrorists and their informants in Shiroro.” He added that civilians had been warned to evacuate before the operation began, and anyone remaining was considered an informant and therefore a target.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) echoed this stance, with Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, asserting that the strikes were based on intelligence reports. He said armed bandits had converged in Lukupe Village on May 9, 2026, prompting military action. Between 11:59 pm on May 9 and 6 am on May 10, the Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted multiple air strikes on Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru Villages. Onoja claimed the strikes were precise and hit terrorist locations, with local sources confirming about 70 bandits were killed in Kusasu alone.
While the military maintains the operation was a success and targeted only terrorists, the testimonies of survivors and local residents paint a different picture. The incident has reignited debates over the accuracy of airstrikes and the protection of civilians in conflict zones. As investigations continue, the families of the victims await answers and justice, while the government faces mounting pressure to ensure transparency and accountability in its counter-insurgency efforts.
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