Yobe govt. demands retraction, apology from Punch Newspaper over false mass killing report
Story from Ibraheem El-Tafseer
The Yobe State Government has strongly condemned a report published by Punch newspaper alleging a mass killing in Mafa village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area, describing it as false, baseless, and misleading.
In a statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, Director General, Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, the government called for an immediate retraction of the report and a public apology to the people of Yobe State, particularly the Mafa community.
The controversial report was credited to one Ahmed Kagana Amshi, who claimed there was a mass killing and subsequent burial in the area. However, authorities in the state have dismissed the allegations as fictitious.
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“For the records, Mafa village and Yobe State in general have remained peaceful, with residents going about their legitimate businesses,” the statement said.
It added that the Yobe State Police Command, the Office of the Special Adviser on Security Affairs, and the Chairman of Tarmuwa Local Government have all debunked the alleged incident.
Describing the publication as a “gross disservice to journalism,” the statement criticised Punch newspaper for allowing such an unfounded report to be published, warning that the credibility of the outlet now stands questioned in the eyes of the public.
The government urged the public to disregard the publication in its entirety, stressing that it lacks any element of truth.
“This misleading report has caused unnecessary psychological trauma to the peace-loving people of Mafa,” the statement concluded.
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