Nigerian military denies 2,000 killed in Baga; says about 150 died

The Nigerian military has denied media reports that over 2, 000 people were killed in a terrorists attack in Baga community, Borno State, by extremist group, Boko Haram.

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.

“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,” Mr. Olukolade said.

In earlier comments on Twitter Sunday, Mr. Olukolade, a Major General, had rejected the 2,000 figure as stated by Amnesty International.