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Shiroro Airstrikes: DHQ Reports Heavy Casualties As 70 Bandits Are Eliminated.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has defended the recent air interdiction operations carried out in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, insisting that the strikes were aimed strictly at armed bandits and not civilians.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that the clarification comes after residents of the Guradnayi community near Kusasu alleged that an early Sunday airstrike may have hit civilian areas, destroying houses and causing panic.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said the operation was carried out based on “credible and actionable intelligence” indicating that armed bandits had gathered at Lukupe Village in Shiroro LGA on May 9, 2026.
According to the DHQ, the Nigerian Army UAV Command conducted coordinated airstrikes between 11:59 p.m. on May 9 and 6:00 a.m. on May 10, targeting identified locations in Katerma, Bokko, Kusasu, and Kuduru villages.
The Defence Headquarters maintained that the strikes were carefully planned and directed at confirmed terrorist hideouts.
“The operations were meticulously planned and executed based on credible, actionable intelligence confirming the convergence of terrorists at those specific locations,” the statement said.
It added that the mission successfully neutralised about 70 armed bandits in Kusasu alone.
“These are armed groups who had been tracked and confirmed as hostile elements actively planning attacks on civilian communities and military assets,” it stated.
The military further explained that the targeted areas had been under surveillance prior to the operation, describing the airstrikes as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace in troubled parts of the state.
It also dismissed claims that civilians were present in the affected locations, arguing that many residents had already relocated to Sarkin Pawa due to insecurity in the region.
According to the DHQ, this made allegations of civilian casualties unlikely, while post-strike assessments reportedly showed heavy militant losses, with surviving fighters fleeing toward Zango on motorcycles.
However, residents of Guradnayi claimed that parts of their community were affected during the operation.
A resident, Kasim Abbas, alleged that explosions rocked the area during the night raid, damaging some houses.
“The military first dropped a bomb near the river in Kusasu, while the second bomb was dropped at Guradnayi,” he said, though he could not confirm casualty figures.
The claims have raised concerns among locals about the impact of aerial operations in communities affected by banditry.
The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Magaji, said the state government had not yet received full details of the incident, noting that such operations are typically coordinated from Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters said it had directed relevant military units to verify reports of possible civilian casualties, but insisted the primary objective of the operation—to eliminate armed bandits threatening communities—was achieved.
The DHQ also urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic or disrupt ongoing security efforts, stressing that operations in the region are focused on dismantling criminal hideouts and restoring stability in Niger State.
Super Falcons defender Tosin Demehin has officially parted ways with Turkish Women’s Super Lig powerhouse Galatasaray following a successful two-year spell at the club.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The 23-year-old centre-back, who initially joined the Istanbul-based club from French side Stade de Reims in 2024, announced her departure via a heartfelt message on social media. During her time in Turkey, Demehin established herself as a regular starter, earning a contract extension after impressing in her debut season.
Reflecting on her journey, Demehin shared her gratitude with the club’s supporters:
“Thank you, Galatasaray, for an incredible chapter. It has been an honour to wear this badge and represent this great club. I leave with great respect, gratitude, pride and unforgettable memories. Wishing the club continued success.”
While she has yet to announce her next career move, European clubs are expected to express strong interest in the Nigerian international as preparations for the new season get underway.
On the international front, Demehin recently represented the Super Falcons at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria reached the quarter-finals.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conveyed his deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones of the veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, following his passing.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The statement regarding the president’s condolences was released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Key points from the president’s tribute include:
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Distinguished Career: President Tinubu praised Ogogo as an exceptional artist whose decades-long career significantly contributed to the growth and development of Yoruba-language theater and the wider Nigerian film industry.
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Cultural Preservation: He highlighted that Ogogo’s distinct acting style and powerful screen presence entertained generations while championing the richness of Nigerian culture and heritage.
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Lasting Legacy: The president noted that the late actor’s body of work, alongside his mentorship of younger talents, secures his enduring place in Nigeria’s creative history.
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Condolences and Prayers: On behalf of the federal government, President Tinubu extended heartfelt sympathies to the grieving family, colleagues, and fans, praying that Almighty Allah grants him eternal rest.
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Background: Before rising to fame in the entertainment industry, Ogogo worked for about thirteen years as a mechanic at the Ogun State Water Corporation, eventually transitioning to acting full-time in 1994 after beginning his career on stage in 1981.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the recall, total withdrawal, and comprehensive reconstitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council originally structured for upcoming national political activities. This decisive administrative intervention follows intense public friction, widespread criticism, and administrative controversy that immediately greeted the initial roster released via official communication channels. According to deep insights from major political publications, the President acted swiftly after receiving serious grievances from high-ranking party stakeholders, senior caucus members, and legislative leaders who expressed profound dissatisfaction with the initial compilation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The primary catalyst for this sweeping overhaul centered on glaring structural anomalies, omissions, and an apparent failure to accurately mirror the internal hierarchy, geopolitical spread, and intricate power dynamics embedded within the ruling platform. Sources close to the seat of power revealed that President Tinubu felt deeply embarrassed by these administrative lapses, emphasizing that an effective campaign machinery must seamlessly unify every influential faction, regional power block, and party heavyweight. The initial structure, which positioned former Zamfara State Governor Senator Abdul’aziz Yari as the prospective Director-General, immediately triggered internal friction due to the surprising sidelining of several core pillars and institutional leaders of the party.
A major flashpoint in the controversy involved the exclusion and improper placement of prominent figures within the national legislative apparatus and executive branch. Stakeholders vehemently kicked against arrangements that appeared to compromise the constitutional and political ranking of legislative leaders, such as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, whose conspicuous absence drew fierce criticism from regional supporters. Furthermore, seasoned political tacticians who played pivotal roles in previous electoral victories—including former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello—were entirely omitted or improperly integrated, sparking widespread discontent across various state chapters.
The fallout also highlighted intense anxiety among regional power brokers regarding the representation of vital political strongholds, particularly in the South-South region following the omission of key governors and stakeholders who champion the administration’s grassroots mobilization. In response to these widespread structural deficiencies, the President directed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), the leadership of the National Assembly, and executive organs to meticulously review all submissions, correct regional and hierarchical imbalances, and forge an inclusive strategy. Meanwhile, voters and interested citizens seeking authentic updates regarding political processes, civic responsibilities, and electoral commission guidelines are continuously advised to consult official portals such as the Independent National Electoral Commission or other accredited institutional channels for verified data and comprehensive civic education materials.
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