Over 185 Killed in Army and Boko Haram Clash At Borno

A clash between gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members and the military left over 185 dead in a single day.

The Village Head of Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area,  Mallam Ali, who gave the figure while briefing Governor Kashim Shettima on Monday, added that  2,000 houses, 62  vehicles and  486 motorcycles were either burnt or vandalized during the clash in the early hours of Saturday.

The Presidency which on Monday ordered investigation into the incident, however, said it believed the figures might have been “grossly exaggerated.” Authorities of the Defence Headquarters, Abuja had before the Presidency’s comment,  put the casualty figure at 25.

Shettima, who was on an assessment tour of the village and other affected areas,  announced  a cash donation of N5m and relief materials to the victims. He said  his  government would also pay the medical bills of those injured. He said, “We are going to convey those with serious injuries to Maiduguri for further medical attention at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Others will be taken to the Umaru Shehu Specialist Hospital for proper care.’’

He expressed sadness over the incident and urged the residents of the affected areas to take it as an act of Allah. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Isa Gusau,  later issued a statement in which the  state Ministry of Works  was directed by the governor to start the reconstruction of the burnt houses.

The statement added, “The number of persons killed as well as houses destroyed has not been accurately ascertained by any competent authority as government awaits the report of its committee or any reliable source of information to ascertain accurate figures.”

Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force,  Gen. Austin Edokpaye, who shed  light on the clash denied that the military engaged in massive killing of  civilians.

Source