Gombe State Police Commissioner, Hayatu Usman, has debunked claims that bandits have entered the state and informants are on the rise.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Abubakar, in a statement made available to journalists on Friday, quoted the police boss as describing the claims by a security agency as unsubstantiated.
Our correspondent reports that the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Muhammad Bello, had on Tuesday during the decoration of 302 officers warned residents against accommodating strangers or their agents, stating that the criminals were migrating from North-West to North-East.
Reacting to the claim, Usman described it as misinformation, saying there is no threat in the state.
The statement partly read, “The attention of Gombe State Police Command has been drawn to a trending video in circulation purported to have emanated from a sister security agency that ‘bandits have infiltrated Gombe State and that bandits informants are on the increase.’ Related News Generator fumes kill two Kogi Poly students Police probe as gunmen kill two, abduct one in Lagos Tension as bandits kill soldiers on peacekeeping mission in Nasarawa
“The command wishes to state emphatically that there is no such threat in Gombe State, and the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is committed to ensuring the protection of lives and property, maintenance of law and order in the state.”
While urging residents to ignore the misinformation and go about their businesses without fear, Usman solicited credible information that would help to maintain the peaceful co-existence in the state.
“Therefore, well-meaning members of the state should discountenance the trending video message and go about their lawful businesses as usual, the command also assures the people and residents alike of their safety.
“Finally, the public is enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Stations,” the statement added.