Gov Sani Bello counters media reports, says Kagara school abductees have not been released
By OUR REPORTER
One of them said, “Are these media elements saying they are not aware of the many allegations of unpatriotism being raised against them or that they just feel that they are on top of the game, untouchable and nobody can hold them responsible? If that is the reason they continue to stand on the part of insecurity agents to prolong our security problems, we can only wait and see what end it all,” he said in an anonymous message obtained by The DEFENDER.
Governor of Niger State, North Central Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Dani Bello, has countered media report that said 27 students and some staff of Government Science College (GSC) Kagara abducted by bandits had been released to President Muhammadu Buhari’s critic, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
Governor Bello said they have not been released but that the state is trying its best possible to ensure the they are released within “the next few days or hours”.
Tribune online joined by some bloggers had reported earlier on Friday that the abductees had been released Sheikh Gumi, who reportedly said the demands of the abductors were simple and resolvable, asking for blanket amnesty for the bandits who have killed several hundreds of people in the North West and North Central in recent times.
But Governor Sani Bello denied the report even as he also said he would not resign over the abduction.
The governor said on Friday that “I am not considering resigning anything”, adding that “this is the first time students are being kidnapped in this state”.
The students were abducted alongside 14 others when armed bandits attacked their school in the morning of Wednesday February 17, 2021.
Some Nigerians said the incident, which has been part of a trend of attacks on schools in the northern part of the country, is an indictment on the state government.
But responding to a question when he addressed journalists at the Government House Minna, Governor Sani Bello said he is not contemplating resigning over the issue.
The DEFENDER reports some patriotic citizens as condemning some media organisations for failing to change from the same bad attitude many have raised against them choosing to twist information and spread misleading reports anytime government tries to solve a security issue.
One of them said, “Are these media elements saying they are not aware of the many allegations of unpatriotism being raised against them or that they just feel that they are on top of the game, untouchable and nobody can hold them responsible? If that is the reason they continue to stand on the part of insecurity agents to prolong our security problems, we can only wait and see what end it all,” he said in an anonymous message obtained by The DEFENDER.
