Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
At least two civilians have been reported killed and several others injured after a military helicopter opened fire on residents of Kurgi community in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, in an incident that has sparked renewed concern over the conduct of aerial military operations in civilian areas.
The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, 25 January 2026, when the helicopter was seen hovering over Kurgi before opening fire. Local accounts indicate that those hit by the gunfire included women and children, with multiple victims sustaining gunshot wounds and other injuries. Residents said the attack triggered panic in the community, forcing many to flee their homes in fear of further strikes.
According to a security report by Aldebaran Threat Consultants, the helicopter was part of a broader wave of military operations launched across parts of Niger and Kwara states beginning around 20 January 2026. The operations were reportedly initiated in response to a surge in criminal activities, including banditry and terrorist attacks, in northern areas of Niger State over recent months.
Witnesses in Kurgi told local sources that no active confrontation was taking place in the community at the time of the helicopter’s appearance. They claimed that the aircraft circled the area briefly before firing on people on the ground, raising questions about how targets were identified and whether adequate intelligence was available to distinguish civilians from suspected criminals.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the Nigerian military confirming or denying responsibility for the incident. The military has, however, consistently maintained that its air operations are intelligence-driven and aimed strictly at armed groups threatening national security. In previous incidents, the armed forces have stated that civilian casualties, when they occur, are unintended and often the result of criminals embedding themselves within local communities.
Human rights advocates and civil society organisations have repeatedly raised alarms over civilian harm linked to aerial operations in Nigeria’s conflict-affected regions. They argue that while the state has a responsibility to protect citizens from banditry and terrorism, military actions must comply with international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction and proportionality.
The reported deaths in Kurgi add to a growing list of controversies surrounding air strikes in northern Nigeria, where communities caught between armed groups and security forces have often borne the brunt of violence. In several past cases, calls for independent investigations have followed allegations of civilian casualties, though outcomes of such probes are rarely made public.
Residents of Kurgi have appealed to the Niger State Government and federal authorities to investigate the incident and provide medical assistance to the injured. Families of the deceased are also calling for accountability and compensation, insisting that those killed were ordinary villagers with no links to criminal groups.
Security analysts note that the expanding use of air power in counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations reflects the military’s attempt to disrupt armed groups operating in difficult terrain. However, they warn that without precise intelligence and effective ground coordination, such operations risk alienating local populations whose cooperation is crucial to long-term security efforts.
As investigations are awaited, the situation in Kurgi remains tense, with residents fearful of renewed military activity. The incident underscores the delicate balance facing Nigeria’s security forces as they confront rising insecurity while attempting to safeguard civilian lives in volatile regions.
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