According to the latest reports, 180 people have been killed in Bama, Borno States second biggest city. Bama has been the stage of a running battle between Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram and the Nigerian military.
Spokesman of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Jubrin Gunda gave the figure while addressing jounalists on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 in the state’s capital, Maiduguri. He also confirmed that 35 militants who attacked the town have been nabbed.
Earlier today, Senator Ahmed Zannah had granted interviews to local and foreign media saying that Boko Haram had taken over Bama while soldiers fled. The senator claimed to have lost two family members in the attack.
Barrister Gundu counteracts this claim and says that Zannah’s statement ”does not represent the facts on ground” and accused the senator of spreading rumours with the purpose of striking fear into residents of the state, especially Maiduguri.
“We categorically refute the statement credited to Senator Ahmed Zanna, the senator representing Borno Central on the BBC Hausa service that Boko Haram had captured Bama.
“News has filtered most especially on foreign media to which we want to clearly state that our security personnel are doing their best and yesterday our gallant soldiers successfully repelled the insurgents that attacked Bama.
“Bama as a town in Borno State has never been overrun or overtaken by the insurgents even for a minute, even as of now our soldiers are in full control of the town.
“In view of this, we categorically deny and disassociate ourselves with an interview granted to some foreign media by one Senator Ahmed Zanna as what he stated are not the true facts on ground. More so, the interview he granted has contributed to instilling fear in the minds of citizens of Borno State and residents of Maiduguri in particular.
“We want to re-assure the citizens of Borno State that nobody should leave Maiduguri because all that has been said are mere rumours.
Gundu warned members of the public against making unguarded and false information which will “frighten the citizens unnecessarily”.
“As such, people should be calm as the Nigerian security forces are capable, willing and competent to discharge their duties. All citizens should desist from making unguarded and false statements which might frighten the citizens unnecessarily,” he said.
Gundu also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to put at the disposal of the armed forces all necessary to fight the war against terrorism and end it in the shortest possible time.
“We equally wish and call on Mr. President to take seriously and bring to book personalities mentioned in the report of Dr. Steven Davies, if doing so will help in bringing the Boko Haram insurgency to an end, as Nigeria is superior and better than any person in the country,” Gunda added.
Earlier reports say that 56 Boko Haram militants have been killed by Nigerian troops.
