The Defence Headquarters has denied allegations of mass civilian casualties following a recent airstrike in Zamfara State, stating that there is no verified evidence to support claims that civilians were killed during the military operation in Zurmi Local Government Area. The clarification follows conflicting reports surrounding the strike on Tumfa market, where some local sources and international groups alleged heavy civilian losses. Reports linked to AFP claimed that no fewer than 72 people may have died, with community leaders alleging that many bodies were badly mutilated and difficult to identify.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, also raised alarm over the incident, suggesting the death toll could exceed 100, while claiming several injured victims were receiving treatment and that mass burials had taken place in affected communities. Despite these claims, the DHQ insists that available findings and verified assessments do not support the casualty figures being circulated.Reacting to the reports, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the airstrike was carried out in accordance with international humanitarian law and was based on credible intelligence targeting a confirmed meeting of senior terrorist commanders.
He explained that the operation was carefully coordinated using intelligence from multiple sources, with the objective of neutralising armed elements in the area rather than harming civilians. According to him, preliminary assessments revealed no credible evidence of civilian casualties. Onoja acknowledged that immediate on-ground verification can be difficult because of security challenges and ongoing threats in such locations, but noted that post-strike assessments confirmed that several terrorists were successfully eliminated.
He added that the Nigerian military remains focused on conducting precise operations while minimising collateral damage and sustaining pressure on terrorist groups active across the North-West. The DHQ further warned that the spread of misinformation and unverified casualty reports could weaken ongoing counterterrorism efforts and trigger unnecessary panic within affected communities.
Security experts have noted that military airstrikes in volatile areas like Zamfara often produce conflicting narratives, especially in locations where armed groups are embedded within or close to civilian settlements.They also pointed to the challenge of independently verifying casualty figures in remote and insecure communities where journalists and humanitarian observers have limited access. The military has again reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and compliance with international engagement standards, urging the public and media outlets to rely on verified official briefings when covering sensitive security operations.
The incident highlights the continuing friction between military authorities and human rights groups over concerns surrounding civilian casualties in Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign, even as the DHQ maintains that its operations remain focused on dismantling terrorist networks while safeguarding civilian lives.
Source: https://guardian.ng/
