credits: www.ynaija.com)
The Defence authorities have faulted the claim that over 2,000 people
were killed in the Boko Haram attack on Baga, the headquarters of the
Multi-National Joint Task Force on January 3.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said
this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. He said that 150
people including a large number of members of the Boko Haram sect were
killed in the confrontation.
Olukolade explained that many of the residents of Baga and the nearby
communities had fled the area because of incessant attacks on their
towns by the Boko Haram sect.
He added that many of the residents of the community were able to flee
the area while the battle between the soldiers and the insurgents
lasted.
Olukolade said that the figures being reported and attributed to
eyewitnesses were exaggerated.
"...It is however necessary to inform Nigerians in the interim that the
exercise so far has not corroborated the report on the casualty rate
which was put at 2,000.
"From all available evidences, the number of people who lost their
lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150 in the
interim. This figure includes many of the terrorists who were bearing
arms and got killed in the course of their attack and battle with
troops.
"It should be noted that Baga and the neighbouring towns have been
under a series of attacks and harassment by the terrorists. In the
course of this, many residents have left, leaving the population in
the town almost seriously depleted. Many were also able to escape
while the terrorists' battle with troops lasted.
"The figure given by sources who claim to be eyewitnesses must be an
extremely exaggerated estimate. Unfortunately, this figure is now
being bandied about in a section of the media as if it has been
authenticated. It cannot be true," he said
Olukolade said that the military had embarked on a lot of covert
operations including aerial surveillance activities designed to
prevent the terrorists from carrying out heinous acts against innocent
Nigerians.
The Defence spokesman showed video clips of movement within and around
Baga during the incidents.
Olukolade stressed that while it was important to report incidents
that would bring out the acts perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect, such
reports should be factual.
"In any case, this is no time to debate about casualty figures or
number of deaths as the life of any Nigerian is important. Much as the
intention which could be with the aim of drawing attention to the
atrocities being committed by terrorists group in Nigeria is most
welcome, the need for factual presentation of the situation is equally
vital," he added
The Defence spokesman said that the military had not given up on Baga
or any other part of the country and was indeed making preparations to
address the security challenge.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, on
Wednesday said the Federal Government was more resolute than ever to
tame the Boko Haram insurgency.
The minister also said President Goodluck Jonathan was saddened by the
continuous killing of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram insurgents,
adding that the Peoples Democratic Party was also pained by the
savagery unleashed on the North-East by the terrorist group.
The minister said this shortly after he was received by some party
chieftains, as thousands of supporters thronged to the Maiduguri
International Airport.
Wakil, who said he was in the state to convey the sympathy and
condolence of President Jonathan to the people, stated that the
Presidency was deeply worried by the killings, including the Baga
killings reported to have claimed about 150 lives.
He added that the PDP was most saddened by the Boko Haram insurgency
which claimed many lives in the North-East.
--PUNCH
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