Police Refute Report Of Abduction Of 20 Officers In Yobe

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Saturday, December 11th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The police in Yobe State have refuted a report that 20 officers were rescued by the military following their abduction by terrorists during an attack on November 30 in Gujba Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Abdulkarim Dungus, an assistant superintendent of police, said in a statement that nobody was killed or abducted during the attack by the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) on Buni-Yadi police division in Gujba LGA.

The terrorists attacked Buni-Yadi and set ablaze the police station and a primary school in the community. But the attack was reportedly repelled by security forces.

Mr Dungus said it is disheartening that the fake news of the abduction of officers was published in many media outlets without clarification from the police authorities.

“It’s even more worrisome that such a misleading story is alleged to have emanated from military sources,” the official said.

The attention of Yobe State Police Command has been drawn to a trending News making the rounds on both Social Media (especially, www.crimechannels.com) and the Mainstream Media Platforms (eg. Channels Television) to the effect that “Twenty (20) Police personnel kidnapped by Boko-Haram/ISWAP Insurgents during an attack on Buni-Yadi Police Division in Gujba Local Govt. Area of the State, were rescued by Troops of the Nigerian Army (Operation Hadin Kai)”.

The news item was further replicated in many online publications, such as neptuneprime.com.ng, etc.

02. It’s disheartening to note that this fake news/story has been published in many media outlets, without seeking clarification from the requisite Police Authorities.

It’s even more worrisome that such a misleading story is alleged to have emanated from military sources.

However, in view of the sensitive nature of the issue, and the prevalent security situation in the State, it’s deemed imperative that such negative impressions must be erased from the minds of the public by setting the records straight. It’s equally important that the actual facts and circumstances surrounding the incident must be brought to light, for the sake of the families of police personnel serving in Yobe State.

In this regard, therefore, the Command wishes to reiterate as follows

The story or news item (on the alleged kidnapping of 20 police personnel in Buni-Yadi and their rescue by troops) is misleading, an utter fabrication and fake news, as no single police personnel was kidnapped from Buni-Yadi town on the day of the alleged incident, or at all;

On Tuesday 30th November 2021, suspected members of Boko-Haram/ISWAP insurgents had attacked the Buni-Yadi Police Station in Gujba Local Govt. Area of the State and burnt down the structures, but there was NEITHER any loss of life, NOR was any Police personnel kidnapped, or declared missing. All the conventional personnel of the Division, as well as the PMF personnel, had been accounted for after the incident;

The general public is, therefore, by this PRESS RELEASE from the Yobe State Police Command, enjoined to discountenance/disregard/ignore the said ‘Kidnap & Rescue Claim’ as false, mischievous and fake!

It should be pointed out further that the said claim of ‘rescue of the 20 personnel’ had failed to disclose their identities; their ranks; the formations they belong to; or which medical facility they were taken to for check-ups; or who were they handed over to; or when and where were they handed over, etc. The absence of all these vital information in the publication, means that the story is nothing but false, misleading and a misinformation!

03. While reiterating the commitment and dedication of Police personnel currently serving in or deployed to Yobe State, in sustaining the relative peace and security in the State, we call on the entire members of the public to continue to cooperate and support the command, as always.