On May 10, 2026, a Nigerian air strike targeted bandits in the Kusasu area of Shiroro Local Government, Niger State. However, eyewitnesses and medical reports confirm that civilians were also affected, with some killed and others injured. The incident has raised concerns about the military's tactics and the impact on local communities. According to reports, the air strike occurred after bandits had withdrawn from the area, leaving civilians to return to their homes.
Despite the military's claim that no civilians were killed or injured, investigations by PRNigeria, a Nigerian media outlet, found evidence to the contrary. Medical personnel and eyewitnesses described the devastating effects of the air strike on civilians, including children and the elderly. The Shalom Nursing Home and Maternity in New Zamba, where some of the injured were taken, reported treating several patients with severe injuries, including shrapnel wounds.
Ezekiel Bala, one of the survivors, recounted the terrifying experience, describing how the air strike occurred suddenly, catching residents off guard. He stated that many people were killed or seriously injured, and that he himself suffered an injury. Similar accounts from other eyewitnesses and medical personnel corroborate Bala's story, contradicting the military's initial claim that only bandits were targeted.
Further investigation revealed that the air strike was preceded by a withdrawal of bandits from the area, allowing civilians to return to their homes. However, the military air strike occurred shortly after, causing widespread destruction and casualties. Residents reported that the incident occurred between 6:00 and 9:00 am, with some describing the sound of gunfire and explosions.
Medical personnel at the Shalom Nursing Home and Maternity reported treating six patients, including two children, two elderly individuals, and two middle-aged women. One of the patients, Auta Bala, later died from her injuries, while Talatu Ishaya succumbed to a pre-existing medical condition after being discharged. The hospital's medical director, Misis Polina Damidami, stated that the patients suffered from severe injuries, including shrapnel wounds.
The hospital's account of the incident contradicts the military's claim that no civilians were harmed. Damidami stated that the patients were brought to the hospital shortly after the air strike, and that the police visited the hospital to take statements and photographs before medical treatment was administered. The hospital reportedly spent around ₦1.2 million on medical expenses, with some costs waived due to the patients' inability to pay.
The incident has raised concerns about the military's tactics and the impact on local communities. While the military has continued to assert that only bandits were targeted, eyewitness accounts and medical reports suggest that civilians were indeed affected. The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in military operations, particularly in areas with high civilian populations.
Key points
- The Nigerian air strike in Shiroro, Niger State, resulted in civilian casualties, contradicting official claims that only bandits were targeted.
- Medical reports and eyewitness accounts confirm that civilians, including children and the elderly, were killed or injured in the air strike.
- The incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in military operations to prevent harm to civilians.
