Military spokesman John Enenche on Monday said only 43
persons have been confirmed killed during the onslaught on farmers
in Zabarmari, Borno on Saturday.
On Sunday, the United Nations had reported that 110 civilians
had been killed.
“We have also received reports that several women may have been
kidnapped. I call for their immediate release and return to
safety,” the UN Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon said, in a
statement.
“The incident is the most violent direct attack against innocent
civilians this year. I call for the perpetrators of this heinous
and senseless act to be brought to justice.”
READ ALSO: UN Says At Least 110 Were Killed In
Borno, Demands Immediate Release Of Kidnapped Victims
Responding to the UN report during his appearance on Channels
Television’s Sunrise Daily, Enenche said the military’s
casualty count still stood at 43.
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“I have to respond, it is coming from the United Nations,” he
said. “This is a source that identified itself that 110 persons
specifically were killed.”
According to him, military officials accompanied Governor
Babagana Zulum to the site of the killings where the 43 bodies were
counted.
But some persons had fled the scene, as they tried to escape the
onslaught.
The spokesman added that the military is still searching for
casualties.
“Probably we may count up to the figure he gave in the future,”
Enenche said. “But as it is, up till the time I came here, what we
have counted with the locals is still 43. And we are hoping that we
don’t get beyond that. So that’s the real situation.”