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From John Adams Minna
The ongoing drama over the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Catholic Missionary School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State took a different dimension yesterday as the media aide to the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dan Atori, alleged that some unknown persons were threatening his life through phone calls.
The threats by the faceless individuals using hidden telephone number, he claimed, are not unconnected with series of press statements he had issued on behalf of the CAN Chairman, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora Diocese to counter most of the state government’s claims on the incident of Friday, November 21 where over 300 students where abducted by bandits.
After the attack, the state government through the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, in a statement blamed the school authority for the abduction, claiming that government had issued an earlier warning to the school of an imminent attack but the school did not heed it.
According to the SSG, the government received security reports ahead of the attack which indicated that there was an increased threat level in the area.
“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.
“This unfortunate incident comes despite a prior intelligence report obtained by the government indicating an increased threat level in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk”, the statement added.
However, CAN in a swift response through a statement by the media aide on behalf of the Chairman, debunked the claim, describing it as a mere propaganda and afterthought.
CAN said categorically that the management of the school did not receive any early warning of threat of attack by bandits either written or verbal from government or any individual before the invasion of the school by the gunmen.
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“It is very pertinent that we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies as peddled in some quarters.
“I have just got back to the village this night (Friday night) after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and Security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely.
“Unfortunately, I was greeted with what I term “propaganda” that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.
“That is not true, we did not receive any circular, written or verbal from any quota, it must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame.”
CAN equally gave a comprehensive figure of the abducted students and put the number at 303 students and 12 members of staff, but Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago expressed reservations over the release of the figures, saying it was too early.
However, after the series of counter press statements, Atori said he has received several calls from hidden numbers threatening him to stop giving details of the abduction.
“I have been contacted by some groups, both the good, bad and the ugly, security, politicians, propagandists. By God’s grace, no matter how long the truth is suppressed, it must surely come out strong to silence lies and propaganda.”
He pointed out that his only offence was that he carried out instructions by his principal, Bishop Yohanna. “As of the last 48 hours, I’ve received calls (hidden numbers) threatening and warning me not to do or send statements for safety purposes.
“I have notified the necessary channels of the threats. I need your prayers and support as always. And my earnest prayer is to see that the remaining captives are rescued by the power of God,” he said.
