Garba Shehu, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, has apologised for saying only 10 schoolboys were kidnapped from Government Science Secondary
Garba Shehu, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari, has apologised for saying only 10 schoolboys were kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina state.
Shehu apologised in a post on his social media handles on Friday.
Over 300 schoolboys were kidnapped from the school on December 11, after an attack by bandits.
They were, however, rescued on Thursday and arrived in Katsina on Friday.
While Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, had said over 300 schoolboys were missing after the attack, Shehu had claimed that some of the abducted schoolboys who escaped told the military that 10 of them were taken away by the gunmen.
The presidential spokesman, however, said he was sorry for the “incorrect communication”, adding that it was not his intention to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
“I apologise for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara. This communication of numbers was provided by persons that should ideally know. These numbers were seen to conflict with what was available at that time.
“Please understand that this communication was in no way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation. Please accept my sincere apologies on this matter as we continue to move our great Nation Nigeria forward. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari says he is worried over the high rate of insecurity in the country.
Speaking in Daura, Katsina, shortly before addressing students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, on Friday, the president pledged not to betray the truth reposed in him by Nigerians.
He said a lot needs to be done to improve security, adding that his government is aware of its responsibility to secure lives.
“It is our responsibility to secure this country for all the citizens to do their businesses without any problem. We haven’t achieved that yet, but, we will keep on trying. I’ll continue to be loyal to this country. I have asked for this mandate; I got it, I must not advance any excuse for failing to perform.
“On the issue of insecurity, I’m extremely worried about it, and I hope next year it will be different. Those among the law enforcement agencies that would remain in charge would be extremely busy. We have a lot of works ahead of us and some of these things we may not say because I don’t want to compromise the security and efforts being put by the law enforcement agencies.
“But really we are accurately aware of our responsibilities. Our responsibility is to secure the country – so we have a lot of works to do. Armed forces know their job. I meet them, we have security meetings from time to time, they must be very clear of my instructions, and their effort is not good enough for me
“It is our responsibility to secure this country for all the citizens to do their businesses without any problem. We haven’t achieved that yet, but, we will keep on trying.”
