150 Were Killed In Baga, Not 2000 Like The International Media Reported- Military

Against what the international media have been reporting, the
Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, during a press
briefing in Abuja yesterday, says 150 people were killed during the attack on
Baga on January, 3^rd, 2015 and not 2000 like it is widely
circulated.

According to him, Baga had been facing serious threats from
the insurgent which has made a lot of residents flee and only very little
residents were left. He also said majority of those that died out of the 150
people were the insurgents. Adding that the troops really battled them.

“…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.