Garba Shehu,Presidential Spokesperson, has apologised for issuing a conflicting number of students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, abducted allegedly by armed bandits.
Recall that less than 48 hours after the students were abducted on December11, Governor Aminu Masari of the state had said over 300 students were unaccounted for.
“Based on the available records, we are still searching for 333 students through either the forest or their parents to ascertain the actual number that have been kidnapped,” the governor said.
But Shehu claimed only 10 of the schoolboys were in captivity.
The release of 344 students on Thursday however, refuted the statement of the Presidential Spokesperson.
In a statement issued on Friday, Shehu explained that the incorrect figure he gave was “provided by persons that should ideally know. These numbers were seen to conflict with what was available at that time”.
He added that the misinformation was not in any way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
“I apologize for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara,” he noted.
“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.”
