Kaduna state government has debunked a report published that it has hired a private negotiator to facilitate the release of the over 287 abducted school children in Kaduna.
In a statement issued by Muhammad Lawal Shehu, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kaduna State stated that “the state government has neither hired a negotiator nor contemplated to make such move.”
He urged media organizations to confirm information regarding the abduction from the state officials before publication.
Parts of the statement read; “The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to an outrightly mischievous and false report of 9th March 2024 stating that the Kaduna State Government has hired a private negotiator to facilitate the safe return of school children abducted in Kuriga community, Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State.
“We wish to state categorically that the Kaduna State Government did not hire any private negotiator, neither are we contemplating make such a move.
“The hiring of a private negotiator only exists in the fertile imagination of the reporter. The Kaduna State Government has a clear policy on non-negotiation with terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
“We urge members of the Press to be cautious in the way they craft and publicise their stories on security in order not to jeopardize the efforts of Government and security agencies in degrading criminal elements laying siege on our communities.
“ If the .. reporter had made efforts to contact the Kaduna State Government, they would have gotten the correct information. The Press are our partners in progress. Our doors are always open.”
