A former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has denied having any links with armed bandits or any other terrorists group in Niger State, describing the reports linking him with their activities as false, unfounded, and fake news,
According to a statement by Abdulsalami, in Minna, the Niger State capital, signed by his Media Aide, Dr. Yakubu Suleiman, he alleged that some selected online media platforms had linked him to a purported arrested helicopter supplying food and weapons to bandits in parts of the State.
In the statement, he disassociated himself from such “a heinous crime that is unbecoming of any patriotic citizen”, stressing that ordinarily, he would have ignored such spurious reports, but has to set the record straight on this one.
He said: “This kind of fake news has the potential of aggravating the already tensed security situation in the country and should not be condoned.”
He also expressed regret on how individuals could peddle such news and smear the image and character of people, adding that: “I urge Nigerians to ignore such treacherous acts, and to be careful with the kind of information they dish out and share on social media.”
The former Military Head of State urged Nigerians to continue to work and pray for enduring peace in Nigeria, saying that, no nation can attain greatness without peace and security of lives and property.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello, has declared a special weekly prayer session across the 8 Emirate Councils in the State, to seek God’s intervention to end insecurity in the State.
More news later…