Bago denies bandit attack on convoy

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has denied reports that his convoy was ambushed by bandits during an inspection tour of projects in the Mashegu Local Government Area of the state.

The alleged incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday as the governor and his team were returning from Egede community in Zone C after assessing projects executed under his administration.

According to sources who requested anonymity, the convoy was ambushed when some vehicles reportedly strayed into a bandits’ hideout.

The attackers allegedly opened fire, prompting swift retaliation by the governor’s well-armed security team.

“Several bandits were neutralised, while others fled into the bush after being overpowered,” a source claimed.

According to the sources, some vehicles in the convoy, including a Hilux and a bulletproof vehicle of the Counter-Terrorism Unit, were reportedly damaged

However, no casualties were recorded among the governor’s team, despite some vehicles reportedly losing their way in the bush due to the confusion caused by the attack.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, dismissed the report as “false, baseless, and unfounded.”

“The convoy of the governor has been having a smooth tour of ongoing projects across the Niger North Senatorial District since last week,” Ibrahim stated.

He added, “The governor’s tour has been peaceful, with no incident of any attack or threat to his safety or that of his team. Rather, the governor has been receiving a warm reception from community members in all areas visited.”

Ibrahim criticised what he described as unethical journalism, accusing some media practitioners of spreading misleading information.

“The state government calls on the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Niger State Council, to ensure that only trained journalists are allowed to practise. Those trained should adhere to professional ethics, bearing in mind their critical role as the fourth estate of the realm,” he said.