Terrorists set four Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) military trucks on fire in Zurmi, Zamfara State, after Nigerian troops abandoned them during a mission. The trucks, valued at over N1 billion each, were left behind along with a large cache of arms and ammunition.
A video released by the bandits on Saturday showed their leader, Bello Turji, celebrating with his fighters as they looted the ammunition before setting the trucks ablaze.
Security sources revealed that the military had received intelligence about a meeting of bandits, led by Turji, in the forest. In response, troops mobilized two MRAP trucks to ambush the group. However, the first two trucks got stuck in the mud.
“Two more MRAP trucks were dispatched to rescue and support the mission, but they also got stuck in the muddy, waterlogged terrain,” a security insider said. “With poor visibility and difficult conditions, the troops abandoned the trucks and returned to base.”
The source expressed disappointment, noting that the troops only took their personal rifles and did not destroy the trucks or the arms before leaving. “It is sad that they failed to properly respond to the situation,” the source added.
As of the time of this report, the Nigerian military has not issued an official statement on the incident.
