Nigeria probes army’s conduct
KANO: Nigeria is to investigate its army’s conduct after clashes between troops and Islamist fighters in the north-east killed nearly 200 people, the single deadliest event since the insurgency began.
Residents and officials said the dead included soldiers, insurgents and civilians.
President Goodluck Jonathan ordered a “full-scale” probe yesterday as the Red Cross reported a death toll of 187 and dozens of injuries.
The investigation will determine whether or not the military complied with the established rules of engagement during the operation.
Fierce fighting broke out between troops and Islamist fighters in Baga, near the border with Chad, and a blaze there destroyed nearly half the town.
“So far 187 dead have been buried, while 77 are under admission in hospitals,” said Red Cross spokesman, Nwakpa O Nwakpa.
They were still waiting for the military to give them full access to the town to care for the victims, he added.
Another rescue official who did not want to be named said “40 percent of the town has been gutted by fire”.
The bloodshed, which began on Friday, has seen the most deaths in a single event since the insurgency of Boko Haram, the radical Islamist group blamed for scores of attacks in northern and central Nigeria since 2009.
Initial reports suggested that the fighting started when soldiers surrounded a mosque allegedly housing Islamist insurgents. But a resident said it began when Boko Haram gunmen attempted to burst into a “viewing centre” where locals watch football matches.
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said he was “shocked and saddened at the reports of high numbers of civilians killed”. Washington also condemned the violence and the deaths of many civilians. – Sapa-AFP