Lagos , Nigeria ( CNN ) -- The Nigerian military acknowledged Sunday that civilians may have been `` caught in the crossfire '' last week during an operation to root out criminal gangs in the country 's Delta State . The armed forces began an offensive targeting alleged militant leader John Togo on Wednesday , attacking rebel camps near the village of Ayakoromo and dislodging some militants who had sought refuge in villagers ' homes . The targeted group -- the Niger Delta Liberation Force -- has accused the military of large-scale massacre and rape in the village and surrounding areas , allegations that military spokesman Timothy Antigha called `` completely false . '' `` It is possible a few civilians were caught in the crossfire , '' Antigha , a spokesman for the military 's Joint Task Force , which was formed to combat rebels , said Sunday . A local official said he saw at least 10 villagers ' bodies among the casualties . The task force released a statement Saturday saying `` there is no evidence on the ground to justify any claim of genocide against the JTF . '' The statement acknowledged that buildings near the targeted camps became involved in the crossfire when fleeing militants took them over and exchanged gunfire with security forces . `` It is an established practice that civilian accommodation , offices , churches , mosques , hospitals , cultural places , shrines are non-military targets , but if they are used to stage an attack , such civilian accommodation or office automatically loses that immunity and becomes a military target , '' the statement said . As many as six soldiers were killed in the operation , Antigha said , and about 100 people were displaced . The operation has been suspended while the military assists affected residents , he said . The oil-rich Niger Delta has been the site of frequent clashes between militant groups and the Nigerian military . One of the most prominent rebel groups , the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta , and other militant groups say they 're fighting for a fairer distribution of the region 's oil wealth . Analysts say they are often paid by politicians to support their own bid for power .
Civilians may have been `` caught in the crossfire , '' official says . The Nigerian military has been working to root out militants in Delta State . A U.S. drone strike killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20 others on Sunday near a village in northeastern Nigeria, officials said. The military has denied the allegations .