The Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane has distanced self from a report published by Punch Newspaper on 21st April, 2022 and attributed to him that he confirmed NAF fighter jet killed six children in the State is false and malicious.
The paper had reported on Thursday that the SSG confirmed NAF jets attack on Kurebe community on April 13 2022.
However, a statement by the information officer in the office of the SSG, Lawal Tanko and made available to ASHENEWS on Thursday, the SSG said he didn’t not speak with the paper.
“The Secretary to the State Government wishes to debunk the report by the Punch Newspaper detailing that the NAF fighter jet killed six children, stressing that he has never granted an interview to the Punch Newspaper or any media organization on the matter.
“According to the report by Punch, “the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ibrahim Matane has confirmed the killing of six children by a NAF fighter jet in the State.
“The SSG therefore strongly debunks the false and grossly misleading publication and urges the general public to disregard the fake news.”
According to Matane, “he is surprised by the level at which a reputable Newspaper like the Punch will published such a sensitive security report without proper confirmation.”
He enjoined members of the fourth estate of the realm and the general public to desist from publishing or airing fake and unsubstantiated stories instead they should verify any information that comes their way before going to press.
