Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has distanced himself from the alleged link with armed bandits or any terrorist group attacking communities in Niger State.
Mr Abubakar in a statement released in Minna, the Niger State capital through his spokesman, Dr Yakubu Suleiman, described the allegations as “false and unfounded.”
The former head of state in a report had been linked to a purported arrested helicopter supplying food and weapon to bandits in parts of the State.
Abubakar in his reaction to the allegation noted that he would have ignored the report but had to set the record straight.
“This kind of fake news has the potential of aggravating the already tense security situation in the country and should not be condoned”, he said, adding that it is “a heinous crime that is unbecoming of any patriotic citizen.”
He wondered why some people would be so wicked to damage the image and character of people with fake reports.
He urged Nigerians “to ignore such treacherous acts and be careful with the kind of information they dish out and share on social media”.
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The elder statesman charged Nigerians to work in unity for the peace of the country, adding that no nation can attain greatness without peace and security of lives and property.
The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, in his reaction to the security challenges in the state, also declared a special weekly prayer session across the eight Emirate councils in the State to seek God’s intervention.
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Flagging off the special prayers session led by the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, which had in attendance, Islamic Scholars, State Government officials, traditional leaders as well as other stakeholders at the central mosque in Minna, Bello explained, “there is the urgent need to seek God’s intervention in the security situation in the state, and country in general.”