By Omololu Ogunmade
Presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, Friday apologised to Nigerians for providing misleading information on the number of boys kidnapped in Government Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State last weekend.
334 schoolboys kidnapped by bandits in the school premises were freed on Thursday and were received by Governor Aminu Masari on Friday.
Shehu who had, following the breaking of the news of the abduction last weekend, announced that only 10 boys were kidnapped, explained that the figure was not his own creation but given to him “by persons that should ideally know.”
Describing the number as incorrect, Shehu said that the figure actually conflicted with the huge number of missing pupils at the time.
While emphatically apologising for the misleading information, the presidential spokesman further explained that his action was not meant to underplay the depth of the seriousness of the abduction.
He pleaded for understanding of the general public over the development.
He said: “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.”
