The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has apologised for misleading the public on the number of students that were kidnapped at the Government Science School in Kankara, Katsina State, last week Friday.
THE HERITAGE TIMES reported how bandits attacked the public school on December 11 and abducted over 300 students.
The abduction triggered outrage on social media with many Nigerians calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the military chiefs immediately while using the hashtag #BringBackOurBoys.
Following the incident, the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, confirmed that over 300 students were missing after the attack, whereas Mr Shehu told BBC Hausa on December 14 that only 10 students were taken away by the gunmen.
It however became clear that Mr Shehu had given out false information when the 344 kidnapped students were freed six days after their abduction.
The students on Friday met with President Buhari in Katsina and some of them shared their experiences while with the bandits.
Following a backlash on social media, Mr Shehu took to Twitter to apologise for sharing unverified information despite being a top aide to Mr Buhari whose administration has repeatedly vowed to discipline agents of fake news.
“I apologize 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”
I apologize for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
Please understand that this communication was in no way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
Please accept my sincere apologies on this matter as we continue to move our great Nation Nigeria forward. Thank you.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
