BY Elizabeth Ogunbamowo
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has distanced itself from a report which claimed Tukur Mamu, Kaduna train attack negotiator, made revelations about syndicates responsible for terrorism.
The report surfaced on September 8, with several media outlets claiming it was culled from the NAN website.
According to the viral report, Mamu named Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, a former national security adviser and an international SPY expert; Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto state, as well as some clerics to the DSS.
The report further claimed that Mamu disclosed to the DSS that he was ready to reveal politicians and clerics behind the issue of terrorism in Nigeria.
“He said many of the sponsors of the terrorism mayhem in the country have links with collaborators outside the country and have been supporting terrorists in various communities, particularly in northern Nigeria,” the report added.
In a statement on Monday, NAN dismissed the viral report.
The organisation said some of the news outlets that reported the story are not subscribers to its platform, adding that “the story provides no NAN link, and could have even emanated from hatchet writers”.
The news agency also said the platforms had in the past credited “contentious stories” to NAN, “resorting to unprofessional conduct in order to gain acceptability and credibility”.
“Through such inglorious act, they attempt to cast aspersions on the integrity of the agency and expose its stories to doubts,” NAN said.
“This story is an outright deviation from NAN style of truthfulness, balance, objectivity and fairness…
“Meanwhile, our solicitors are compiling names of these obscene publishers.
“It is also worth reminding those mushroom publishers indulging in the incurable habit of lifting NAN stories that the long arm of the law is about to catch up on them,” the statement added.
TheCable earlier reported Mamu’s arrest at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
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