Difficulty establishing facts connected with atrocities committed by Boko Haram has prompted criticism of Nigeria’s government and military spokespeople, especially following the attack in Baga that Amnesty International has called the ‘deadliest massacre’ in the history of the terror group.
According to a BBC report Nigerian authorities have been silent on the matter or simply not picking up calls. The Chief of Defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh didn’t arrange an immediate press conference after the Baga attack, which, according to official figures left between 150 to 2000 dead.
Badeh’s lack of response compares unfavourably with President Hollande’s statement to the world’s media minutes after the Paris shootings.
In a hurried exchange with one journalist, who asked about the Baga attack, Badeh replied: ‘don’t worry, we are at work’.
Badeh was the official who told the world’s press in October 2014 that a ceasefire had been reached with Boko Haram. It was an agreement that turned out to be unfounded.