Yobe State Government Demands Retraction and Apology for False Report on Alleged Mass Killing in Yobe
Yobe State Government Demands Retraction and Apology for False Report on Alleged Mass Killing in Yobe
By Hannatu Lot
The Yobe State Government today issued a strong condemnation of a report published by The Punch newspaper, attributed to one Ahmed Kagana Amshi, which alleges a mass killing in Mafa village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The government unequivocally refutes the claims as false, misleading, and without factual basis.
The report, which has caused undue alarm and distress, alleges that.” At least 84 people have been killed in a devastating bandit attack on Mafa community in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.”
”The Yobe State Government on Wednesday conducted a mass burial for the victims in Babangida, the local government headquarters,” according to Punch Newspapers .
“The assertions made in The Punch’s report are completely unfounded and designed to create unnecessary panic and misinformation,” stated Mamman Mohammed, Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the Governor of Yobe State.
“For the record, Mafa village, and indeed the entirety of Tarmuwa Local Government Area, and Yobe State, have been experiencing peace and normalcy. Our citizens are actively pursuing their daily lives and livelihoods.”
The Yobe State Government wishes to emphasize that the claims made in the report are entirely unsubstantiated. The following authorities have independently debunked the allegations:
The Yobe State Police Command: “The Yobe State Police Command has confirmed that no such attack or mass burial took place in Mafa village or anywhere in the state.”
Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs: “The Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs has conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence to support the claims of a mass killing.”
Chairman, Tarmuwa Local Government Council: “The Chairman of Tarmuwa Local Government Council has confirmed that the allegations of an attack and mass burial in Mafa village are completely false and untrue.
The Yobe State Government views the publication of such a report by a reputable media organization like The Punch with serious concern.
The government believes that the reporter’s actions represent a grave disservice to responsible journalism, potentially misleading the Nigerian public and the international community with false and unsubstantiated information.
“This false report has inflicted significant psychological trauma on the residents of Mafa community and the entire people of Yobe State, and it risks undermining the peace and stability we are diligently working to maintain,” stated Mohammed.
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Therefore, the Yobe State Government demands the following:
1. Immediate Retraction: The Punch newspaper must immediately retract the false report in its entirety, both in print and online.
2. Public Apology: The Punch newspaper must issue a public apology to the government and people of Yobe State, particularly the Mafa community, for the distress and misinformation caused by the publication.
3. Investigation: The Punch newspaper must conduct a thorough investigation into the source of the false information and take appropriate disciplinary measures.
”The image of the newspaper has been put to test in the eyes of the public with such a misleading publication.”
The Yobe State Government urges the public to disregard the report and all its content, as it is completely false, baseless, misleading, and without any basis in truth.
The government remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all its citizens and will continue to provide accurate and reliable information.
