The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday clarified that the two Mines Resistant Armored Personnel Carriers (MRAPs) displayed by terrorists in a viral video from Zamfara State had been demobilized by troops after becoming stuck in a swamp during an operation. The demobilization was carried out to prevent the terrorists from using the vehicles.
Additionally, the DHQ dismissed as fake news a video purportedly showing the mass killing of 150 people recently kidnapped in Sokoto State over an alleged failure to pay ransom.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), made these statements in Abuja. He emphasized that the terrorists’ use of viral videos to spread disinformation, propaganda, and fake news is an attempt to instill fear among the public, but assured that these efforts will fail.
In his statement, Buba explained: “On 29 August 2024, at about 1700hrs, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI deployed at FOB Zurmi in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State embarked on a fighting patrol to dislodge a terror gathering at Kwashabawa Village. Troops engaged the terrorists en route to the location.
“During the fight, while attempting to outflank the terrorists, two of our MRAPs got bogged down due to the swampy terrain caused by the rains. As troops tried to extricate the MRAPs, the terrorists massed up, knowing the challenge our troops were facing with the vehicles. Subsequently, troops dismounted and demobilized the MRAPs when efforts to recover them proved futile. The demobilization was a necessary step to prevent the vehicles from being used by the terrorists. This situation highlights the impact of weather on ground operations.”
In a related development, DHQ addressed a trending video from a terrorist camp that depicted the mass killing of civilians in a mass grave. The DHQ clarified that this incident did not occur in Nigeria but rather in a nearby African country also battling terrorism.
The terrorists, in a desperate move, attempted to manipulate the situation to mislead the public. The DHQ unequivocally stated that there was no abduction of 150 persons in Gobir, Sokoto State. The rumor was deliberately planted by the terrorists to undermine the successes of the troops and to mask the terrorists’ weaknesses.
The DHQ urged the public to be wary of terrorist tactics aimed at spreading misinformation, disinformation, and fake news as part of their propaganda efforts. Such situations are not uncommon in war, but the military remains flexible in its operations to achieve the strategic objective of winning the war.
