Boko Haram did not kill 150 Yobe villagers, says DHQ

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has debunked media reports that 150 Yobe villagers were either either shot dead or drowned while fleeing from attacks on their village by members of Boko Haram.

Instead, the DHQ claimed four members of the violent sect and a member of the civilian Joint Task Force were killed during a gun battle.

“The truth of the matter is the military got an intelligence report concerning a planned attack by Boko Haram on Kukuwa-Gari village in Yobe State. Following the tip-off, troops and civilian JTF laid ambush between Kukuwatashi and Kukuwa-Gari villages The insurgents ran into them and a gun-battle ensued in which four Boko Haram members and one civilian JTF lost their lives,” said in statement released on Wednesday.

The DHQ further stated that at the end of the encounter,two AK 47 rifles and two motorcycles used by the Boko Haram terrorists were recovered from them.

“The Armed Forces therefore implore the media to always seek clarification of stories before going to press as most of these unsubstantiated reports tend to embolden or encourage the terrorists to believe they are invincible, thus instilling perpetual fear in the minds of the citizens, especially, those in the contested areas of the North East.

The DHQ said the “military is doing all within its power to protect lives and property of Nigerians in any part of the country and thus, solicits cooperation and understanding of the media to be partners in progress in this noble task.”