Zamfara 500 farmers: Figment of authors’ imagination, concocted, Gen Buba dismisses report

By AGATHA NWOKOCHA, Abuja

In a swift reaction on Friday, the Nigerian military authorities have debunked the social media report claiming that terrorists kidnapped over 500 farmers in Zamfara state.

Speaking on behalf of the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, in a statement in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operation DMO, Major General Edward Buba declared the allegation was not only a figment of imagination, but also a fabrication to tarnish the image of the troops fighting to secure the citizens. He added that the report was fake news and cationed the general public to disregard it as another propaganda mill.

In the statement titled: PRESS RELEASE ABOUT ONGOING OPERATION HADARIN DAJI OPERATIONS AS AT 17 MAY 241

Buba said, that the troops of Op HADARIN DAJI which covers the NW of the country are actively fighting and conducting ongoing operations in  and around Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State.

The statement read, “It must be noted that troops are fighting a vicious enemy in a complex combat environment in which several factors are at interplay both on and off the battlefield.

“Troops are compelled to deal with two realities.

“The virtual reality as well as the reality on the ground. The virtual reality  which is mostly on social media is more of fictitious figures  and extreme exaggeration of the situation on the ground.

“For instance, it is fictitious and over exaggerated  to state that over 500 people were abducted by terrorist,while in reality troops can confirm  that  persons where abduction. It must be recalled that same was experienced during the Kuriga abduction during which the figures brandished were much higher than those truly abducted.

“On the issue of rotation or overstayed troops in operational area. It is no news that, the current military leadership upon assumption of office addressed several of these 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 terrorist and their cohorts.

“The military admits 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 Guard. 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.

Overall, we are in a good and strong position in this war against the terrorist with many terrorist leaders killed.

“We are making them pay a much heavier price than we have been forced to pay”.