DHQ Denies Reports Of Terrorist Kidnappings In Sokoto, Armoured Vehicle Hijacking In Zamfara
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed recent claims circulating in the media that bandits in Zamfara State hijacked two armoured vehicles, and that terrorists carried out mass killings and abductions in Sokoto State. These denials come in response to a series of videos that surfaced over the weekend, which the DHQ has labeled as fake.
One of the videos showed bandits allegedly celebrating the capture of two armoured vehicles from the military. In another, terrorists were seen conducting what appeared to be a mass burial for civilians, and a third video claimed that over 150 residents were kidnapped in Sokoto State by terrorists.
On Monday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, addressed these claims, clarifying the actual events. Regarding the situation in Zamfara, Buba explained that the two armoured vehicles became stuck due to the swampy terrain as troops attempted to outflank a gathering of terrorists in Kwashabawa Village. To prevent the vehicles from falling into enemy hands, the troops were forced to demobilize them.
“On August 29, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI, deployed at Forward Operating Base Zurmi in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, embarked on a fighting patrol to dislodge terrorists gathering at Kwashabawa Village. During the mission, two MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) got bogged down due to the swampy terrain caused by the rain. Despite efforts to extricate the MRAPs, the terrorists massed up, exploiting the situation. The troops, therefore, had to demobilize the vehicles to prevent their use by the terrorists,” Buba explained.
He also addressed the video depicting a mass burial, stating that the incident did not occur in Nigeria, but in a neighboring African country also grappling with terrorism.
“In a related development, the attention of the DHQ has been drawn to a trending video purportedly showing a mass grave of civilians. This incident never took place in Nigeria; rather, it occurred in a nearby African country facing similar terrorist challenges,” Buba clarified.
Furthermore, Buba debunked the rumors of mass abductions in Sokoto State, attributing the misinformation to a terrorist propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting the successes of the Nigerian military.
“The alleged abduction of 150 persons in Gobir, Sokoto State, is a fabrication by terrorists to undermine the achievements of our troops. This kind of propaganda is not uncommon in warfare,” he stated.
Buba urged the public to remain vigilant and skeptical of such misinformation, which is often used by terrorists as a psychological tactic in their war efforts. He reassured that the military remains committed to its strategic objectives and continues to adapt to the dynamic conditions on the ground to achieve victory.
