President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has apologised for previously claiming that only 10 students were abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State last week.
His claim was at variance with that of the state Governor, Bello Masari, who had said over 333 students were abducted from GSSS in the state.
However, 334 schoolboys were released yesterday after negotiation between governments at the national and state levels on one hand and the abductors on the other side.
Apologising for his error in a series of tweets via his official handle on Friday evening, Shehu explained that he was misled by those who should “ideally know”.
In a statement, the presidential spokesman said;
I apologize for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara.
I apologize for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
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.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
He expressed that his previous statement was in no way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
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.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
Please accept my sincere apologies on this matter as we continue to move our great Nation Nigeria forward. Thank you.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 18, 2020
