DHQ Dismisses Report Of Civilian Casualties In Air-land Operation Conducted by Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports in a section of the media, alleging high civilian casualties in an air-land operation conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on 10 May 2026 in Zamfara State.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director Defence Media Operations in a statement titled ‘disclaimer on reports of civilian casualties and unverified casualty figures in Zamfara operation’, stated that “the Defence Headquarters wishes to address with utmost clarity the wave of misleading reports and unverified figures currently circulating across various media platforms regarding the air-land operation conducted by troops of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, on 10 May 2026 in Zamfara State.
“The operation targeted a confirmed high-level gathering of terrorist ring leaders at Tumfa Village, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“A location verified by credible, multi-source human intelligence as a coordination point for planned attacks against innocent communities in the North West region.
“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 official position remains that several terrorists were neutralized, as confirmed by a Battle Damage Assessment conducted after the strike.
“Furthermore, the Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify the allegations of civilian casualties as being peddled in some quarters, including by certain international human rights organisations.
“No credible, substantiated evidence of civilian casualties has been established through any official assessment or independent verification.
“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.
“Those making such allegations are hereby called upon to rely on verified, concrete evidence rather than on unconfirmed social media reports or adversarial sources that serve to undermine legitimate counter-terrorism operations.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria operates at all times under strict Rules of Engagement, in full compliance with the principles of International Humanitarian Law, including distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack.
“Civilians are never targets, and every operational measure is taken to prevent civilian harm. Ground troops continue to conduct exploitation and clearance operations in the area, and the public is advised to rely solely on verified information released through official Defence Headquarters channels.
“Any incidents of civilian casualties will be communicated to the public appropriately, in line with the CDS directive on the professionalism and transparency in the conduct of Armed Forces of Nigeria operations.
