The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has described as ‘fictitious’ the reported abduction of 500 persons in Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, in a statement on Friday, said contrary to reports, only four persons were abducted from the community.
He said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji were actively fighting a vicious enemy in a complex combat environment in which several factors were at interplay both on and off the battlefield.
General Buba said the troops were compelled to deal with two realities. “The virtual reality as well as the reality on the ground,” he disclosed.
He explained that the virtual reality mostly on social media was more of fictitious figures and extreme exaggeration of the situation on the ground.
“For instance, it is fictitious and over exaggeration to state that over 500 people were abducted by terrorists, while in reality troops can confirm that four persons were abducted.”
He continued, “It must be recalled that same was experienced during the Kuriga abduction during which the figures brandished were much higher than those truly abducted.”
The Director also clarified the issue of rotation or overstayed troops in operational areas.
He said the current military leadership upon assumption of office addressed several of such issues.
“In fact, both issues were prioritised in line with enhancing troops’ welfare and administration. Accordingly, on the ground, troops continue to demonstrate stamina, resolve and strong desire to remain focused and stay the course until the enduring defeat of the terrorists and their cohorts.
“The military admit that there is still a lot of work ahead to better secure citizens and protect them from acts of terror. Efforts are ongoing to better the cooperation with the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards. Efforts are ongoing to better secure the citizens in their farmlands with the set in of the rainy season. There is also a lot more ongoing, which is better left unsaid due to ongoing operations in the area,” he added.
He stressed that troops were in a good and strong position in the war against the terrorists with many terrorist leaders killed.
“We are making them pay a much heavier price than we have been forced to pay,” he declared.