Nigeria’s Defence Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade reacted on January 12 to reports that Islamic fundamentalist group Boko Haram massacred up to 2,000 people in the northern town of Baga in Borno state, saying that while “terrible atrocities have been committed against innocent Nigerians in Baga,” the number of those killed was heavily exaggerated.

Olukolade said, according to available evidence, “the number of people who lost their lives during that attack has so far not exceeded about 150.” He urged the media “to be circumspect in adopting casualty figures.” He concluded his statement saying that “the military has not given up on Baga or any part of the country where terrorists are marauding” and that operations were underway to “address the situation.”

A full version of the statement, published to the Defence Headquarters website, is available below. Credit: YouTube/DefenceInfo NG