The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Friday apologised for the wrong statement he made that only 10 students were kidnapped at the Government Science School, Kankara, Katsina State. Shehu Garba made the apology after 340 students of the school kidnapped by bandits last Friday night were declared by the Katsina State government o have been released. Governor Aminu Masari subsequently presented the students to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.
Over 840 students were said to be present in the school when the bandits struck. Security operatives on intervention accounted that 200 students returned same Friday after the incident which made people scamper for safety. Invariably, about 600 students were feared missing or kidnapped by the bandits but Governor Aminu Masari declared that 333 students were kidnapped while Shehu Garba said that only 10 students were kidnapped. Boko Haram had claimed that over 560 students were kidnapped but on Thursday 340 students were declared to have regained freedom.
Shehu Garba un a tweet on Friday declared: “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.”