150 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN BAGA MASSACRE NOT 2000 SAYS NIGERIAN MILITARY!!

photo cred: ynaija

In a press briefing in Abuja on Monday Jan 12, 2015, the director of Defense Information, Chris Olukolade disclosed  that the confirmed number of casualties in Borno were actually 150 and not 2000 as publicized in the media.
" It is however necessary to inform Nigerians that the exercise so far has not corroborated the report on the casualty rate which was put at 2000. From all available evidences, the number of people who have 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 troops"  He went on to say "it should be noted that Baga and the neighboring 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 able to escape while the terrorists battle troops lasted.

"The figure given by sources who claim to be eye witnesses 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 also mentioned that the military had not given up the fight to recover the lost towns from Boko haram and that efforts were being made to combat the security challenge head on.