In response to recent media reports, the Kaduna State Government has refuted claims that it hired a private negotiator to secure the release of 287 primary school pupils abducted by bandits in the Kuriga Community of Chikun Council Local Government Area.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, clarified the government’s position in a statement issued on Saturday. Shehu emphasized that the state government has neither hired a negotiator nor contemplated such action.
The statement reads: “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 making 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.”
Earlier reports had suggested that negotiations for the release of the abducted pupils and their teachers were underway, with the state government allegedly engaging a private negotiator.
