The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles seen in a viral video being destroyed by terrorists were immobilized by troops after becoming stuck in a Zamfara forest.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, explained that on August 29, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji conducted a fighting patrol to disrupt a terrorist gathering at Kwashabawa Village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara and engaged the terrorists en route to the location.
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He explained that two of the troops’ MRAPs became bogged down in the swampy terrain, which was worsened by rain, while the troops were attempting to outflank the terrorists.
He added that as the troops tried to free the MRAPs, the terrorists took advantage of the situation, knowing the difficulties the troops were facing with the vehicles.
“Subsequently, troops dismounted and demobilsed the MRAPs, when efforts to backload them were futile.
“The sad demobilisation of the MRAPs by troops was to prevent it from being useful to the terrorist after abandonment.
“These situations further illustrate the effect of weather in changing conditions for ground operations,” he said.