*Says at no time it gave vehicles, money to bandits
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
The Government of Zamfara State, North West Nigeria has denied the allegation of donating 15 Hilux vans and millions of naira to bandits published by Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper in the country.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Special Adviser to state Governor, Alhaji Zailani Bappa, copy of which was made available to The DEFENDER in Gusau.
“In one of its reports, it (Sahara Reporters) alleged that H.E. Governor Bello Matawale has given 15 Hilux vans and millions of naira to repentant bandits who in turn are now using the same vehicles to attack innocent communities in the state,” our Corespondent quoted the Bappa to have complained against the online newspaper.
The governor’s Spokesman, according to him, said “as the ethics of journalism provides, allegation such as this requires balancing from the accused before publication”.
He added that “either due carelessness, quackery or cheer mischief, the medium went ahead to publish the story without balancing from the side of government.”
The Special Adviser said that the state government has purshased 200 Hilux vans in support of security agencies in the state under the supervision of Inspector General of Police Muhammad Adamu, and that the beneficiaries are, Army, Police, NDLEA, civil defence, Immigration and FRSC.
He emphasized that with all the programmes of the government torwards peace in the state, at no time it gave vehicles and money to the so-called repentent bandits.
