ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
Bauchi state government has denied media reports that Boko Haram insurgents attacked some communities in the state.
The refutal was made during a press conference at the Government House, Bauchi state on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed on Media, Mukhtar Gidado.
According to him, the reports were a misrepresentation of the facts which were given by the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Sabiu Baba, at a press conference on Monday shortly after the end of an emergency Security Council Meeting presided over by governor.
Mr. Gidado, who explained that the SSG did not mention any attack by Boko Haram in border areas of Dambam, Zaki, Gamawa and Darazo LGAs, added that the state government called for a security meeting to take proactive measures that would guarantee the security of citizens, especially in border areas.
“Our attention has been drawn to a viral publication by cross section of newspapers and online medium were they erroneously reported that Boko Haram fighters raided Bauchi communities”.
“In order to set the records straight and correct the erroneous misrepresentation that is in the public domain, I wish to start that there was no single attack by Boko Haram or any criminal elements in the four (4) Local Governments for that matter”.
“To report that the Boko Haram invaded these LGAs was entirely false and mischievous. It is therefore pertinent for all to respect the security and integrity of our state. As journalists, we are encouraged not report war where none exists,” he stated.
The governor’s media aide noted that the SSG stated that the only threat now is the influx of refugees in Dambam and Gamawa LGA.
He further revealed that relief interventions would be sent to the IDP’s in the affected areas, in order to cushion the hardship being experienced by the refugees in the 4 LGAs.
“Let me give you a break-down of the commodities that are being loaded for onward transportation to the affected areas: Bags of Rice – 1,750, bags of Maize – 1,050, bags of sorghum – 1,750, Cartons of Spaghetti- 1,050, bags of Sugar – 350 and Cartons of Indomie – 3,500,” he said.
He called on the general public to disregard this misrepresentation by the media, while calling on the media to retract and apologize for this breach of professional ethics.
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