Kogi gov says he did not threaten citizens

From Adama John, Lokoja

GovernorYahaya Bello of Kogi State has denied media report credited to him as threatening to inflict violence on anyone murmuring against his administration with better handling of firearms.

The Governor had talked tough when he made a public presentation of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency and the central senatorial district of the state.

A press statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo said the governor said he did not make any such statement alluding to his proficiency in the use of firearms.

The press statement confirmed the governor’s tough stance against crimes and criminality as the chief security officer of Kogi State.

“He did not and will not engage in personal threat of violence against anyone. He is also neither a security agent with training in firearms handling nor a mugger”, the statement said.

The commissioner said that unfounded story allegedly transcribed from the video and used as a headline is totally the figment of the imagination of those behind Sahara Reporters.

“We urge Nigerians to dismiss the report including the subtitle in the video as false, spurious, defamatory, malicious and irresponsibly reckless,” he said.

He gave Sahara Reporters seven days to withdraw its publication and apologize to the government, or face criminal and civil courts.

“The Government of Kogi State has remained most committed to the security of lives and property of its citizens and those of other Nigerians and will continue to fight against violence and criminality” said the information manager.

“While as a Government, we continue to respect the media and promote the freedom of the people to be informed, we totally abhor injurious falsehood capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.”