The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports alleging civilian casualties and conflicting death tolls from the May 10, 2026, joint air-land operation conducted by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Zamfara State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the military said the operation targeted a confirmed gathering of terrorist kingpins at Tumfa Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area, describing the location as a known coordination hub for planned attacks on communities across the North-West.
TheFact Daily reported that Amnesty International had on Monday, called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the horrific military airstrike that allegedly killed about 100 civilians at the Tumfa market in Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state on Sunday.
Rejecting the allegations, military authorities insisted that no credible or independently verified evidence of civilian casualties had been established so far,
maintaining that the target location was occupied solely by armed non-state actors posing threats to civilian populations.
According to DHQ, the strike was based on credible multi-source human intelligence, adding that post-strike Battle Damage Assessment confirmed that several terrorists were neutralised.
The military clarified that the operation was an air interdiction mission, noting that such operations do not allow for immediate or precise casualty counts on the ground. It stressed that casualty figures circulating in local and international media reports remain speculative and do not reflect the official position of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Armed Forces further stated that all operations are conducted under strict Rules of Engagement and in compliance with International Humanitarian Law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.
It urged the public to rely only on official Defence Headquarters channels for verified information, adding that any confirmed civilian casualty incidents would be transparently communicated in line with military operational guidelines.
