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.
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