The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has explained that the two combat vehicles known as Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles, which were destroyed by terrorists in a viral video, had actually been immobilized by troops after they were stuck in Zamfara forest.
In a statement on Monday (today, September 2) in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, on August 29, embarked on a fighting patrol to dislodge a terror gathering at Kwashabawa Village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara and engaged the terrorists en route to the location.
He explained that two of the troops’ MRAPs got bogged down due to the swampy terrain caused by the rains during the fight while attempting to outflank the terrorists.
According to him, as the troops tried to extricate the MRAPs, the terrorists massed up, knowing the challenge the troops faced with the immobilized vehicles.
“Subsequently, troops dismounted and demobilized the MRAPs when efforts to backload them proved futile,” Buba said.
“The unfortunate demobilization of the MRAPs by troops was to prevent them from being useful to the terrorists after abandonment.
“These situations further illustrate the effect of weather in changing conditions for ground operations.”
Buba also clarified that another viral video propagated from the terrorist camp, suggesting a mass killing of allegedly abducted villagers in Sokoto, was fake.
According to him, the video, which depicted the killing of several civilians in a mass grave, did not occur in Nigeria but in a nearby African country facing terrorism.
“The terrorists, in an act of desperation, tried to manipulate the situation to mislead gullible members of the public,” he added.
“The armed forces unequivocally state that at no time were 150 persons abducted in Gobir (Sokoto State).”
“The rumored abduction was deliberately planted by the terrorists to undermine troops’ winning efforts and cover up the terrorists’ weaknesses.
“On the whole, the public is urged to be circumspect of the antics of the terrorists to propagate misinformation, disinformation, and fake news as part of their war propaganda effort.
“These situations are not uncommon in war.
“The dynamic and ever-changing environment of war creates some of these experiences.
“Nevertheless, troops retain operational flexibility to make adjustments in achieving the strategic objective of winning the war.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has urged the military to relocate its command structure to the North West to address the worsening security situation.
Recent reports indicate that bandits have been invading villages in Sokoto and Zamfara states, abducting scores of people, and killing those who fail to pay ransom. A viral video has also surfaced, showing bandits seizing a Nigerian Army Mine-Resistant Armored Personnel Carrier (MRAP).
In a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Media and Public Relations for the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, Matawalle expressed deep concern over the activities of terrorists and bandits terrorizing Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States.
The minister condemned the situation where criminal bandits circulated videos of a Nigerian military armored vehicle stuck in a waterlogged area.
The vehicle was left behind after officers were ordered to withdraw to avoid an ambush. The incident occurred in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Following this, the Minister of State directed the Chief of Defence Staff and other military leaders to relocate to Sokoto, the headquarters of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) for Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states, as part of an intensified effort by the Federal Government to eliminate banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in the North West.
“This strategic move underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the region. While in the North West, they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his bandit gang are eliminated,” the statement reads.
Matawalle emphasized that the continued circulation of videos showing Nigerian military vehicles in the hands of bandits is unacceptable, especially given the support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Federal Government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North West, and Matawalle assured that all necessary resources would be deployed to eradicate these criminal elements and restore peace to the affected communities.
“We must act decisively against these terrorists to allow our people to live freely. The time is up for these bandits and terrorists as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases,” Matawalle stated.
He called on the Armed Forces of Nigeria to intensify efforts to flush out the bandits and terrorists, assuring the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi states, as well as the entire North West region, that security forces would leave no stone unturned until peace is restored.
“I will be on the ground in the North West with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform,” Matawalle said.
