Nigeria - Boko Haram Spokesman Denies Killing Of 52 Insurgents By JTF
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/03/nigeria-boko-haram-spokesman-denies.html
Abu Zinnira, a new purported spokesman of the Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, better known as Boko Haram yesterday debunked claim of the Friday's killing of 52 insurgents in Jajeri, a settlement in the outskirts of Maiduguri by operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF).
He also dismissed the reported killing of 20 members of his group who attacked a military barracks in Monguno in northern part of Borno State on Sunday, 3rd March, 2013, insisting that in the two incidences, soldiers had only succeeded in killing civilians.
The new spokesman had two weeks ago sent a live video of their leader, Abu Muhammad Shekau to journalists, denouncing any dialogue talks with the government and promised renewed attacks on establishments and symbols of authority.
Spokesman of the JTF in Borno State Lieutenant Colonel Musa had on Saturday told journalists at a media briefing that 52 insurgents had been killed, 20 of them on Friday and many ammunitions, including anti aircraft missiles, few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan completed his two day visit to Borno and Yobe States.
Though Abu Zinnira did not say anything on the arms recovered by the JTF, he said it is not true that their members had been killed.
"The truth of the matter is that we are the ones that triumphed during the encounter because we killed many soldiers and destroyed four armoured personnel carriers (APCs). What is obvious is that the JTF had only succeeded in killing innocent civilians, not our members as they claimed." he said.
In a related development, locals in Monguno local government area yesterday alleged that angry soldiers had sacked the whole of Yoyo; a village close the army barracks in the area while dozens of people, including women and children had been killed.
A local said the incident happened about nine days ago, precisely the day suspected members of the Boko Haram stormed Monguno in military attires and attacked the barracks.
JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, last night described Abu Zinnira's statement in respect of attack on military barracks in Monguno as lies.
The new spokesman had two weeks ago sent a live video of their leader, Abu Muhammad Shekau to journalists, denouncing any dialogue talks with the government and promised renewed attacks on establishments and symbols of authority.
Spokesman of the JTF in Borno State Lieutenant Colonel Musa had on Saturday told journalists at a media briefing that 52 insurgents had been killed, 20 of them on Friday and many ammunitions, including anti aircraft missiles, few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan completed his two day visit to Borno and Yobe States.
Though Abu Zinnira did not say anything on the arms recovered by the JTF, he said it is not true that their members had been killed.
"The truth of the matter is that we are the ones that triumphed during the encounter because we killed many soldiers and destroyed four armoured personnel carriers (APCs). What is obvious is that the JTF had only succeeded in killing innocent civilians, not our members as they claimed." he said.
In a related development, locals in Monguno local government area yesterday alleged that angry soldiers had sacked the whole of Yoyo; a village close the army barracks in the area while dozens of people, including women and children had been killed.
A local said the incident happened about nine days ago, precisely the day suspected members of the Boko Haram stormed Monguno in military attires and attacked the barracks.
JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, last night described Abu Zinnira's statement in respect of attack on military barracks in Monguno as lies.
