Former Governor of Kawar State, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has criticised the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) over last weekend’s massacre of civilians in the boarder town of Baga, Borno State, while ostensibly hunting Boko Haram insurgents.

Saraki in a statement posted on is facebook wall this morning condemned the “gruesome act in the strongest terms” and demanded “full inquest on the activities of the Joint Task Force.”

The serving senator who belongs to the ruling Peoples democratic party (PDP) also demanded more restraint from the task force even while it seeks to checkmate the insurgents who have made large parts of Nigeria’s north a theatre of war since 2009. His exact words:

I am deeply saddened by reports of the attack emanating from the border town of Baga in Borno State, which from available reports left over One hundred and Eighty Five (185) people dead, Two thousand (2000) houses burnt and other valuable properties destroyed as a result of the gun battle between the Boko-Haram sect and the Joint Task Force on Friday 19th April 2013. I join well meaning Nigerian’s to condemn this gruesome act in the strongest terms and we must demand the full inquest on the activities of the Joint Task Force to account for the series of event that eventually led to the loss of lives within the community.

It is more disheartening to see women and young children of different ages lose their lives untimely. This is one attack too many that has continued to undermine our genuine effort towards restoring peace to the crisis ridden areas. Those who have made it a perpetual habit to inflict pain and agony on innocent citizens by their wicked ways must be quickly identified and brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.

We are currently passing through a difficult period as a nation resolute to defend her democracy, I urge the people of Baga community to desist from carrying out a reprisal attack on the JTF, but rather provide valuable information that could lead to the arrest of the troublemaker's in order to prevent a reoccurrence of such dastardly act.

I appeal to the JTF and other security outfits to be more professional in handling security challenges. I also, urge politicians and religious leaders to intensify their effort in meeting the yearnings of the people to further enhance the peace and stability and wellbeing of the nation.

As law abiding citizens, we must continue to be observant and report any suspicious movements and activities within our community to assist the security agencies in combating this menace threatening our existence. My heart and prayers are with the entire family(s) of the deceased as we join you in this moment of grief.

I pray that Allah gives the families comfort and the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

• Photo shows Senator Saraki.

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