Plausible
Perhaps he thought the shooting had stopped, it can take some time to get through to some helpdesks. Also some Helpdesks aren't open all hours, maybe he knew of a colleague going out In a couple of days who could bring the laptop and wanted to get this organised. Different to most users who think to get ten laptops ready for Monday at for o'clock ok Friday is what you're being paid for.
Personally, I provided support to a company who had people in Libya. Quite a few laptops got left as people rushed for the last flight from hell. Also whilst arranging VPN installs years ago, one woman asked how soon it could be done as she now needed to work from home as her husband had just been diagnosed with cancer. I said give me a date knowing whatever she said I would be free.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
