Contrary to what was reported in the National dailies, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, Senator representing Northern Borno said the destruction and casualties in his constituency was practically a multiple of what was reported.
He made this revelation during a visit to Baga. He said his people were living in humanitarian crises, adding that, his statement was not political but the reality on ground.
“If you go to Baga and saw what was on ground, you would agree with me that the number doubled what the media has actually reported. I drove about five kilometres on the stretch and saw nothing but continuous carnage.
Over 4000 houses were destroyed and the number of casualties is far more than what we read in the papers. I am appealing to the Military to always follow the rules of engagements.”he said
The senator said wiping out a whole community is a lazy way of fighting insurgence, but that, government should embrace a more human approach of dialogue and amnesty.
The senator said, although he did not want to join issues with the Military, but that while in Baga he had visited three grave yards where he counted 130, 60 and 30 respectively.
He said from what he gathered, 228 people were actually killed in the carnage. ” I spoken with the family members of the victims and they told me what their eyes saw and I did see the destruction myself.” He said.