Why Boko Haram prefer pick-up for operations

What is glaring in most of the videos released by the Boko Haram sect is their preference for Toyota pickups. In almost all the videos, members of the sect are often seen driving towards their targets in the white pickups. According Mr. Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, whose company, Proforce Limited, is a Nigeria-based armoured car manufacturer, the car’s rugged capacity to navigate rough terrains is the reason why insurgents prefer the brand. Ogundeyin, however, said the vehicles were not Toyota Hilux pick-up vans but Toyota 76 and Toyota 79. He also said he was not sure if the vehicles were armoured. Ogundeyin toldSUNDAY PUNCHin an interview that such vehicles had a four-wheel-drive, high suspension and could run on mountainous and sandy terrains. “When you look at the vehicles they are using, I don’t think they are Toyota Hilux; I think it is Toyota 76. Like the Landcruiser, it is very strong. One reason why they use the vehicle is that one can get its parts anywhere. Another is the type of engine it has. The Toyota 76 and Toyota 79 has 2.7-litre engines. “Apart from that, one would realise that they are very rugged. They have auxiliary gear and can move on any terrain. Because of the terrain (in the North), they can move in deserts and any other terrain,” he said. Similarly, an automobile expert, Dr. Oscar Odiboh, said terrorists prefer the use of such trucks or vehicles because they are suitable for rough and tough terrains. He said, “These insurgents work in mountainous regions, hilly areas and caves and they need to move around. What they need is a vehicle that is rugged, tough and can withstand any kind of terrain. Because these vehicles are made for such terrains, it is only logical that they make use of such vehicles to do whatever they want to do. Also, such vehicles do not rely just on petrol but also use diesel. For most trucks, particularly those made for Africa, there is the diesel and the petrol version. For example, there arePajerocars that use petrol and diesel. Diesel and petrol are usually for light trucks, but it is not common with saloon cars or small cars. “Also, diesel vehicles are much stronger than petrol vehicles and their engines are very rugged. They also have a longer period for servicing. For instance, if one services a petrol engine after three months, one can afford to service a diesel engine after six months. Diesel engines can also withstand dust. But, petrol engines tend to weaken after gathering too much dust. This is because the dust would get in and create clog inside the engine compartment. Diesel engines are stronger than that and not so easy to break down. Such trucks are very expensive.” According to a car website, www.epequip.com, the Toyota 76 is a ‘five door, five seats off road utility vehicle which could be used for humanitarian patrol in hostile environments, VIP escort with electronic counter-measures, and covert operations / reactive intervention’. It costs over N10m or more. A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshall al-Amin Dagash (retd.), had on Wednesday asked why state security forces could not crush the activities of the insurgents, saying, “How could 20 to 30 Toyota Hilux vehicles move in a convoy freely with subsisting curfew and still go undetected?” It’s sad that we now live in a country where people no longer believe anything government officials say. That’s what you get when your government lacks integrity. But let’s give the DSS and Marilyn Ogar the benefit of the doubt for now while we hope that they are not covering up something. She claimed it was an attempted jailbreak and that some of the insurgents were killed in the exchange of gunfire. It was rather unprofessional for one official to have gone to feed the suspects alone. Ugochukwu Chikezie Marylin Ogar (DSS Spokesperson) has not explained to us how 21 people died. I strongly believe there is an insider, who is yet to be unveiled. Even Reuben Abati’s (Presidential spokesperson) assurance that there was no cause for alarm is suspect. Those killed were still innocent detainees that have not been convicted. So, what is the true explanation of the death of the insurgent?