The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has apologised to Nigerians for wrongly saying that only ten students were kidnapped at the Government Science School in Kankara, Katsina State.
Heavily armed men invaded the school premises last Friday, kidnapping over 300 schoolboys after a gun battle with the police.
Shehu after the attack said only 10 students were kidnapped.
However, following the release of 344 students by the kidnappers on Thursday night contrary to Shehu’s claim, he has retracted his earlier statement.
Shehu in a post on his verified Twitter handle on Friday said, “I apologise for the incorrect communication citing that only ten students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara.”
“This communication of numbers was provided by persons that should ideally know. These numbers were seen to conflict with what was available at that time.
“Please understand that this communication was in no way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation. Please accept my sincere apologies on this matter as we continue to move our great nation Nigeria forward. Thank you.”