TheCable

The federal government has asked Nigerians not to spread false report about the abduction of some students from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe state.

Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped the students when it raided the school on Monday.

Initially, the authorities did not state the true position of things as government officials were giving conflicting information.

But on Thursday, Ibrahim Gaidam, who had earlier said some of the kidnap girls had been rescued, confessed that they were still in the custody of the sect.

This sparked an outrage, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the government of President Muhammadu Buhari of frustrating efforts to secure the release of the girls.

But NOA said the government responded to the situation appropriately.

In a statement by Paul Odenyi, its spokesman, the agency asked people to be mindful of the pains of the families in pain.

“The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has noted the unfortunate incident at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State and wishes to empathise with the parents of the missing children and Nigerians at large,” the statement read.

“The agency at this time would like to caution against unnecessary speculation over the depressing incident saying at moments like these Nigerians should step up their vigilance, stand in prayers and cooperate with security agencies.

“Garba Abari, director-general of the agency, said President Muhammadu Buhari has already dispatched high-powered government officials to the area to ascertain the true state of affairs and report back to him.

“It is necessary to remind the media and other stakeholders to be cautious and factual in their reportage and be mindful of the pains that the parents and the nation at large are passing through.

“The director-general said government has deployed adequate security machinery around the area as part of the ongoing efforts to clear the Boko Haram elements dispersed from their Sambisa forest base with a view to restoring normalcy in all affected areas.