Goodluck Orders Probe Into Killing Of 185 People In Borno

Having received preliminary briefings from the Military High Command on the incident, President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a full-scale investigation into reports of high civilian casualties in the confrontation between Nigerian soldiers and insurgents at Baga in Borno State at the weekend.

About 185 persons including women and children were over the weekend  reportedly killed during a shoot out between mend of the Joint Task Force and Boko Harm insurgents. The victims died of gun shots during the face-off  and fire which  burnt major parts of the town.

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, in a statement noted that  the preliminary briefings indicate that the casualty figures being reported by the foreign media may be grossly exaggerated but said  President Jonathan has  assured Nigerians and the global community that the Federal Government  places the highest possible value on the lives of all citizens of the country.

He said the  administration will continue to do everything possible to avoid the killing or injuring of innocent bystanders in security operations against terrorists and insurgents.

“Rules of engagement for the military and security agencies are already in place for this purpose and the investigation ordered by President Jonathan into the incident in Baga is to amongst other things, determine whether or not these rules were fully complied with.

“The President has also ordered the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and Federal health agencies to liaise with the Borno State Government and take urgent steps to provide immediate relief and medical support for all who suffered losses and injury in the fighting at Baga.
He commiserates with all those who have regrettably lost their lives in the fighting, including the soldiers who gallantly made the supreme sacrifice in the operation against terrorism, insurgency and insecurity in Nigeria.

“The President is deeply pained by the continuance of these needless deaths and will continue to do all within his powers to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in all parts of the country.

“It is his hope and expectation that the National Committee which he will inaugurate on Wednesday for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of security challenges in the North will contribute significantly to ending the continuous  loss of lives to wasteful violence. ” Abati stated.