150 not 2,000 died in Baga attacks –Military

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.