Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has strongly denied reports alleging that his convoy was ambushed by bandits during a recent inspection tour of development projects in the Mashegu Local Government Area. The incident, as claimed in various sources, reportedly took place on a Tuesday when the governor and his entourage were coming back from the Egede community in Zone C, where they were evaluating projects completed under his administration. Eyewitnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, suggested that the convoy inadvertently strayed into a region known to harbor bandit activity, resulting in an attack that purportedly saw gunfire exchanged between the assailants and the governor’s security detail.
According to the accounts from these anonymous sources, the security team of the governor responded swiftly to the attack, which led to a fierce exchange of fire. Reportedly, several bandits were neutralized during this confrontation, while others fled the scene, retreating into the nearby bush. Despite the chaos and alleged damage to some vehicles in the convoy, including both a Hilux and a bulletproof vehicle belonging to the Counter-Terrorism Unit, there were no casualties among the governor’s team. It was noted that some vehicles got lost in the bush due to the confusion created during the incident, but the overall safety of the governor and his aides remained intact.
In response to these claims, Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, released a statement categorizing the reports as “false, baseless, and unfounded.” He emphasized that the governor had been conducting a smooth tour focused on ongoing projects within the Niger North Senatorial District, stressing that the tour has been peaceful with no indications of any attack or threat against the governor or his team. Rather than facing hostility, Ibrahim claimed that the governor had been warmly welcomed by community members across the different areas visited during the tour.
Ibrahim also took the opportunity to criticize what he referred to as unethical journalism, alleging that certain media practitioners are perpetuating misleading information for sensationalism. This criticism points to a growing concern regarding the accuracy and integrity of news reporting, especially concerning sensitive issues like security and governance. He called upon the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Niger State Council, to enforce stringent regulations ensuring that only trained journalists report on critical matters. This plea was made with the intention of upholding professional ethics in journalism, highlighting the essential role that accurate reporting plays in governance and public perception.
The governor’s office lamented that the spread of false narratives not only undermines public trust in the government but also endangers the lives of individuals involved. The assertion that there was no ambush or threat to the governor’s safety aims to reassure the public about the stability of the region and the effectiveness of security measures in place during the governor’s engagements. It also seeks to convey the message that the state is actively working towards maintaining law and order, despite the challenges posed by criminal elements like bandits.
In summary, the incident, supposedly involving an ambush, was firmly rebutted by Governor Bago’s office, highlighting the importance of accurate reporting in matters of governance and security. The reassurance of safety during the governor’s project inspections serves both to bolster public confidence in governmental operations and to challenge the spread of disinformation through proper media regulation. The governor’s office remains focused on confirming that the tour of projects across Niger State is being conducted without disruption and that the state government is committed to fostering a safe and secure environment for its residents.
