Firefight in Nigeria with Boko Haram, Islamic terrorist group, leaves 228 dead and more pressure on government
A gunbattle between government security forces and the Islamist insurgent group, Boko Haram, in Nigeria left 228 people dead, a local senator said Saturday to Reuters.
The government was six times less and a rumored cover-up will fuel more pressure on officials to negotiate a “settlement” or “peace deal” with the radical group.
The Red Cross is investigating a report by locals that 187 people died, including many civilians, but defense spokesman Chris Olukolade said only 37 were killed.
Nigeria, Chad and Niger have engaged in a coordinated attack on Boko Haram members during the month of April, especially on the 19th, but the governments are under fire for not keeping the innocent bystanders safe.
“I personally visited three graveyards in Baga and counted 228 graves where victims had been buried,” said Senator Maina Maaji Lawan, who represents the northern region of Borno state where the attack took place.
Lawan told reporters that 4,000 homes were also destroyed and without significant relief materials there could be a humanitarian disaster.
President Goodluck Jonathan has opened an investigation into the siege, including the actions taken by the military.
Earlier this month Jonathan opened more talks about granting amnesty to these terrorists to create a ceasefire and peace in the country.
[…] more security as churches even added metal detectors. A gun battle with authorities in April left over 200 dead and they followed that attack with another assault which resulted in every survivor having their […]
[…] The government has been under pressure to cave to the demands of Boko Haram as repeated violence continues to divide the country. (read more here) […]