The governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has asked the management of Freedom Radio to replace its Government House correspondent, Abbas Yushau, for reporting botched armed robbery involving the governor’s convoy.
Mr Yushau’s travails began when he reported that Mr Ganduje’s convoy survived armed robbery attack along Jos-Abuja road on October 5.
In his account, Mr Yushau said nobody in the convoy was hurt after the governor’s security engaged the robbers in gun duel that lasted for over 20 minutes.
But in a swift reaction, the governor, through his spokesman, Salihu Yakasai, expressed displeasure over the story, saying that the report did not depict the true picture of the incident.
Mr Yakasai however admitted that Mr Ganduje traveled in a convoy to Jos, Plateau State from Abuja to commiserate with his colleague, Simon Lalong, on the death of his brother.
“On their way to Jos, on approaching a point at Hayin Kibau, the convoy saw a car stopped at a road block, mounted by suspected armed robbers. As soon as the armed robbers sighted the governor’s convoy, they dispersed into the nearby bush and left their stranded victims along the road,” he said.
“Consequently, the convoy stopped to rescue the six victims of the robbery, including a pregnant woman, while armed policemen fired gunshots into the air, as a precautionary measure, to douse any threats.
“The victims were then taken by the convoy to a police checkpoint somewhere in the area for investigation and assistance.”
Asked to give reasons why the governor took the decision, Mr Yakasai said “the report portrayed horrific incident that did not happen and could generate tension and fears among the people of the state.”
Freedom Radio are yet to replace Mr Yushau at the beat.
