Why Troops Abandoned Two MRAPs Later Claimed by Bandits – Defence HQ

The Defence Headquarters has clarified the circumstances leading to the demobilization of two Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles by troops during operations against bandits in Zamfara State. According to the Military High Command, the vehicles became stuck in a swampy area while troops were engaged in a fighting patrol in the Zurmi Local Government Area on Wednesday, August 29.

In a statement released by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, it was revealed that the MRAPs were immobilized due to the challenging terrain exacerbated by persistent rainfall in the region. Efforts to recover the vehicles were unsuccessful, prompting the troops to demobilize them to prevent their potential capture and use by the bandits.

The Defence Headquarters issued this clarification following the circulation of videos in which bandits falsely claimed to have seized the MRAPs from military forces. Maj-Gen. Buba dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the demobilization was a tactical decision to deny the bandits any advantage.

The official statement detailed the sequence of events, stating, “On 29 Aug 24, at about 1700 hrs, troops of OP HADARIN DAJI deployed at FOB Zurmi in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, embarked on a fighting patrol to dislodge 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 the MRAPs got bogged down due to the swampy terrain.”

The statement continued, “Subsequently, troops dismounted and demobilized the MRAPs when efforts to backload them proved futile. This was done to ensure the vehicles could not be used by the terrorists after abandonment.”

Maj-Gen. Buba also addressed a separate video circulated by the terrorists, which falsely claimed that they had killed hundreds of civilians in Sokoto State. He clarified that the incident depicted in the video did not occur in Nigeria but in a neighboring African country. He urged the public to be cautious of misinformation spread by terrorist groups as part of their propaganda efforts.

“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’ efforts and cover up their weaknesses,” Buba asserted.

He concluded by reaffirming the military’s commitment to maintaining operational flexibility and achieving the strategic objective of winning the war against terrorism in the region.