{"id":2891,"date":"2013-04-30T22:25:15","date_gmt":"2013-04-30T22:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigeria-news\/jonathan-backs-fresh-baga-massacre-probe\/"},"modified":"2013-04-30T22:25:15","modified_gmt":"2013-04-30T22:25:15","slug":"jonathan-backs-fresh-baga-massacre-probe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/jonathan-backs-fresh-baga-massacre-probe\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan backs fresh Baga massacre probe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has endorsed an independent investigation into the alleged massacre of 287 civilians in the fishing town of Baga in Borno state, following a clash between the Boko Haram members and a multi-national force, comprising Chadian, Nigerien and Nigerian soldiers.<\/p>\n

Jonathan spoke today when he received preliminary reports of the investigations carried out by the Military High Command and NEMA into the incident.<\/p>\n

He commended them for their swift response to his order for investigate the alleged massacre.<\/p>\n

President Jonathan said that investigations must continue, and assured NEMA and the military high command of his support.<\/p>\n

He also said that where a misconduct is established, the Federal Government will not hesitate in imposing sanctions.<\/p>\n

The President said that what happened in Baga, was most regrettable and unfortunate.<\/p>\n

President Jonathan said he will continue to work with the Borno state Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima whom he conferred with last week, to ensure that the people of Baga receive every possible relief and support to facilitate their speedy rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

In its preliminary report to the President, the Defence Headquarters stated that the military team involved in the confrontation with Boko Haram elements was the Multinational Joint Task Force. The MNJTF\u2019s initial mandate was to conduct military operations in the Lake Chad Region and to facilitate free movement of the member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission across their common border. The mandate was expanded in April 2012 to include the fight against terrorists.<\/p>\n

The report also said the incident happened on 16 April and not 19 April as widely reported. It said there was no proof of mass grave, and that houses burnt were not as high as the 3,000 mentioned in reports.<\/p>\n

\"Jonathan <\/p>\n

Jonathan receives report on Baga massacre<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The army reported that a mop-up operation carried out on 17 April by the multi-national force recovered rocket-propelled grenade launchers, rocket-propelled grenade bombs, AK 47 rifles, assorted ammunition, several improvised explosive devices and damaged Land Cruiser jeeps.<\/p>\n

The army debunked earlier reports that 187 people died. On the contrary, it said, 30 terrorists were killed in action. “However, six bodies were recovered in Lake Chad about 3 km away from the action spot.”<\/p>\n

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in its own report said it had set up an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Baga where 642 persons were registered as at April 25, 2013. More people who had earlier fled the community are returning due to improved security and the establishment of various IDPs by the Agency.<\/p>\n

NEMA also claimed that the 185 deaths being speculated in the media cannot be substantiated.<\/p>\n

“The NEMA team visited the two graveyards in the town, and could only identify in both places, a total of 32 fresh graves.<\/p>\n

NEMA also reported that there were fewer than 1,000 houses in Baga, contrary to the report that 3,000 homes were destroyed.<\/p>\n

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Source: PM News<\/p>\n

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