Bolanle Akanji
Moderator
A military offensive in northeast Nigeria that killed more than 50 Islamist rebels has also destroyed four villages and left corpses scattered in bushes, with some civilians among the dead. Witnesses to this incident spoke out on it on Tuesday.
The defence ministry has earlier said that the operation was launched after an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on an army barracks in the town of Bama in Borno state, on Friday.
However, the defence spokesman, Chris Olukolade identified those killed as “terrorists.”
Residents are telling a different story. According to them, an unknown number of civilians also lost their lives as the military attacked the fleeing rebels. While they reported finding scores of charred bodies in the area, many were thought to be those of Boko Haram fighters.
One of those residing in the area, Karim Bunu told a news agency that the military onslaught burnt down four villages; Awaram, Ali-Ali, Suwabara and Kashimri, all in Borno state.
“We have never seen so much death,” a chief in the area said, “The bushes are littered with decomposing bodies”, He added.
The general consensus among the villagers is that much of the destruction was caused by bombs dropped indiscriminately by fighter jets. Bodies are already being collected for burial by the residents.
The defence ministry has earlier said that the operation was launched after an attack by Boko Haram insurgents on an army barracks in the town of Bama in Borno state, on Friday.
However, the defence spokesman, Chris Olukolade identified those killed as “terrorists.”
Residents are telling a different story. According to them, an unknown number of civilians also lost their lives as the military attacked the fleeing rebels. While they reported finding scores of charred bodies in the area, many were thought to be those of Boko Haram fighters.
One of those residing in the area, Karim Bunu told a news agency that the military onslaught burnt down four villages; Awaram, Ali-Ali, Suwabara and Kashimri, all in Borno state.
“We have never seen so much death,” a chief in the area said, “The bushes are littered with decomposing bodies”, He added.
The general consensus among the villagers is that much of the destruction was caused by bombs dropped indiscriminately by fighter jets. Bodies are already being collected for burial by the residents.