From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State Police Command has described as false and malicious reports on social media suggesting that bandits have taken over Kankara Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
According to a police statement on Thursday, “we wish to categorically debunk these claims as they are entirely baseless, unfounded, mischievous and aimed at inciting fear and panic among the people of Kankara LGA and the state in general.”
According to the statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, “we assure the general public that the situation in Kankara LGA remains calm and under control.
“Residents go about their daily activities without disruption and the command, in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of lives and property of the good people of the State, especially Kankara LGA.
“While collaborating with other security agencies, we have since taken proactive measures to combat the menace of kidnapping, banditry and cattle rustling, among other crimes, which is yielding positive results.
“We, therefore, urge the general public to disregard this fake news in its entirety and rely on verified information from credible sources.
“We also call on social media users to exercise caution and responsibility when sharing information online.
“The Command remains committed to providing a safer and more secure environment for all residents and will take all necessary measures to address any security challenges.
“Furthermore, the Command has launched an investigation to identify the sources of these false claims and will take necessary action against those found responsible.”