Insecurity: Abubakar, Obi deny link with bandits, unknown gunmen
By Ayo Ayo Fadimu and Joshua Elekwachi, Abuja
Former Head of State, Retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi have separately denied having any link with unknown gunmen, bandits or terrorist groups in the country
Social media was replete with allegations last week that the former Nigerian leader owned a helicopter used in delivering arms and ammunitions to bandits and terrorists in the state.
Some online media outfits also claimed last week that the impounded helicopter was also the one used in supplying food to bandits and terrorists.
Abubakar described the reports as “false and unfounded.”
He disassociated himself from such “heinous crime that is unbecoming of any patriotic citizen.”
He stated that ordinarily, he would have ignored such ‘spurious reports,’ but had to set the records straight.
“This kind of fake news has the potential of aggravating the already tense security situation in the country and should not be condoned,’’ he stressed.
He lamented that some individuals could be so callous as to peddle such allegations to smear the image and character of other people.
“I urge Nigerians to ignore such treacherous acts and to be careful with the kind of information they dish out or share on social media,” he stated.
He also urged Nigerians to continue to work and pray for enduring peace in the country, saying that no nation could attain greatness without peace and security of lives and property.
His rebuttal is contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Dr Yakubu Suleiman.
Meanwhile, Gov. Abubakar Bello has inaugurated a special weekly prayer session across the eight emirate councils in the state to seek God’s intervention to end insecurity in the state.
Bello said there was the urgent need to seek God’s intervention in the security situation in the state.
He told journalists after the inauguration held in Minna that significant progress was being made in restoring normalcy to some troubled areas in the state.
The governor said that the prayer sessions would continue after the Ramadan fasting period.
“We encourage every stakeholder to support governments’ efforts with prayers. With God, I believe everything is possible,” he said.
Similarly, Obi, who was the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has cried out alleging that some prominent Nigerians, including a sitting governor in Southeast are plotting to frame him up and link him to the activities of the unknown gunmen in southeast.
According to Obi, a group will soon call a press conference where they will claim that he is the sponsor of Unknown Gunmen in southeast. He alleged that a South-East governor is part of the purported plot to tarnish his image and blackmail him.
In a statement issued by his SSA Media, Mr Valentine Obienyem tittled “Plot to blackmail Obi uncovered,” Obi said he has uncovered a plot to blackmail him and raised an alarm over the leaked plot.
“The present effort to blackmail Mr. Obi is by some prominent Nigerians, including a present Governor in the South-East. Our informant, whom we have no reason to doubt, revealed how five of them were invited to a meeting on how to nail Mr. Peter Obi so that, according to him, his ‘rising profile will be dimmed for good,’” Obienyem said in the statement.
He quoted the informant as saying: “Watch out; soon you will see a group call a world press conference, speak of the insecurity in the land, appeal to anybody with information on the causes to help the Government solve it and finally drop the bomb by linking Mr. Peter Obi to the sponsorship of the Biafran movement through offer of money to sustain the agitation and use of Biafran boys for selfish end, including winning of elections.
“Though our informant refused to disclose the name of the Governor behind this and the main person he is using, he assured: “In the fullness of time, the plot will unfold and the characters will become apparent on its own.”
He however added that “some of them are not comfortable on the way the tide is moving and may finally opt out,” Obienyem further said.
He noted that “most of the previous efforts to blackmail Mr. Obi by some prominent people through hired hands backfired, because the truth eventually prevailed,” adding that “the present plot to make trouble for an innocent man will similarly come to nought as far as Almighty God remains on the throne.”
