Defence Headquarters Denies Claims of Armoured Vehicle Hijacking and Civilian Casualties in Zamfara and Sokoto....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has categorically denied recent reports that bandits in Zamfara State hijacked two armoured vehicles. The military refuted claims of mass civilian casualties and the kidnapping of over 150 residents in Sokoto State. This response came after videos surfaced over the weekend, raising alarm about the security situation in these regions.

In one of the videos, bandits boasted about hijacking two armoured vehicles from military troops, celebrating their supposed victory. Another video depicted terrorists conducting what appeared to be a mass burial of civilians, while a third video alleged that over 150 residents were kidnapped in Sokoto State.

Addressing these claims, Maj Gen Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the videos circulating on social media are misleading and do not reflect actual events. He explained that the armoured vehicles became stuck in a swampy area while troops attempted to outflank terrorists gathering at Kwashabawa Village. To prevent the vehicles from falling into the hands of terrorists, the troops demobilized them after unsuccessful attempts to extricate them.

On August 29, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji deployed at Forward Operating Base Zurmi engaged in a patrol aimed at disrupting terrorist activities in Kwashabawa Village. Buba elaborated, “During the fight, while attempting to outflank the terrorists, two of our MRAPs got bogged down due to the swampy terrain. Knowing the challenge the troops faced, the terrorists took advantage of the situation.”

Buba also addressed the trending video that purportedly showed terrorists conducting mass burials, stating that such an incident did not occur in Nigeria. “The video propagated from the terrorist camp depicted killings that took place in a neighboring African country also grappling with terrorism,” he clarified.

Regarding the alleged abduction in Sokoto, Buba emphasized that the reports were fabricated by terrorists to undermine the military’s recent successes. He stated, “At no time were 150 persons abducted in Gobir, Sokoto State. This rumor was deliberately planted to distract from the achievements of our troops and to conceal the terrorists’ weaknesses.”