The Village Head of Baga, Malam Ali,has said that 185 people were killed while 2,000 houses were razed and
486 motorcycles damaged in Friday's clash between the military and terrorists.
Speaking while briefing Governor Kashim Shettima, who was on an assessment tour of the village and other areas affected in Kukawa LGA on Monday, Ali said 62 private and commercial vehicles were also damaged.
Responding, Shettima announced the donation of N5 million cash and other relief materials to the victims of the clash, adding that government would also pay the medical bills of those injured during the incident.
He directed the caretaker chairman of the LGA to convey those with serious injuries to Maiduguri for proper medical attention.
"We are going to convey those with serious injuries to Maiduguri for further medical attention at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). Others will be taken to the Umaru Shehu Specialists Hospital for proper care," Shettima said.
He expressed sadness over the incident and urged them to take it as an act of Allah.
Shedding more light, Gen. Austin Edokpaye, the Commander of the Multi National Joint Task Force, denied that the military engaged in massive killing of people.
Edokpaye explained that the incident happened after a patrol van of the task force was attacked by some suspected terrorists in the evening.
"A patrol team of the task force was attacked by suspected terrorists on Friday evening killing one soldier and injuring two others. The incident led to sustained exchange of fire between the team and the terrorists,'' he said.
Edokpaye added that the exchange of fire lasted for about four hours.
"The injured officers engaged the terrorists on exchange of fire until a reinforcement team arrived. But the terrorists began to run as the exchange of fire continued,'' he said.
Edokpaye said that the incident spread to many areas as the soldiers pursued the terrorists who used sophisticated weapons.
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