…demands retraction within 48 hours
The Jigawa State Government has refuted claims of procurement irregularities in the donation of operational vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force, describing a report by two online platforms as false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to mislead the public.
The government said the report, published by The National Update and The Syndicate on November 5, 2025, was aimed at tarnishing the image of the administration of Governor Malam Umar Namadi.
In a statement signed by Ismaila Ibrahim Dutse, Public Relations Officer, Office of the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, the government condemned the publication and said it was “mischievous, unfounded and devoid of journalistic ethics.”
The statement reads partly: “The Jigawa State Government notes with deep concern a malicious and unfounded article published by two online platforms, The National Update and The Syndicate, on November 5, 2025. The said publication falsely alleges procurement irregularities in the recent donation of operational vehicles to the Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
“This mischievous report is clearly intended to mislead the public and tarnish the hard-earned reputation of the present administration.
“While we respect the constitutional right to freedom of information and expression, such rights must not be abused to promote falsehood or personal vendettas. Responsible journalism requires accuracy, fairness, and balance—principles that are sadly absent in the said publication. Journalists, by the ethics of their professional calling, are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity which govern the working conduct of every member of the pen profession.
“It is particularly regrettable that the author of the story, Mr. Ahmed Rufa’i Dutse, a permanent staff of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (Jigawa State Office), has been consistently associated with unprofessional conduct and has often been used by political detractors to attack the state or impugn the personality of its officials. Reports available to us indicate that he writes under multiple aliases for various media outlets, a practice that violates the ethical standards of journalism. Accordingly, we hereby call on the Federal Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris, to investigate this breach of civil service rules and take appropriate disciplinary action.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the procurement process for the said vehicles strictly followed all due process requirements in line with the Public Procurement Act. The contract was duly advertised in Blueprint and People’s Daily newspapers on August 27, 2025. Furthermore, a Due Process ‘No Objection’ certificate was issued, with reference No. DPPMB/SSD/PROJ/025/VOL.1/003, dated July 4, 2025, and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government before the award of the contract.”
The government stressed that the approval captured in the Jigawa State Executive Council resolution of November 3, 2025, referred to the second phase of the vehicle procurement, meant for other security agencies in the state, not a fresh or irregular contract as claimed.
It added that the entire process was transparent, competitive, and in accordance with the law, contrary to allegations of a “verbal award” to a council member.
The statement further disclosed that the publishers of the defamatory story had been given a 48-hour ultimatum to retract the publication and issue a public apology, failing which the government would initiate legal action to defend its integrity.
The Jigawa State Government also called on the media to uphold professionalism, urging journalists to verify information before publication in line with the ethics of the profession.
“The administration of Governor Malam Umar Namadi remains committed to transparency, accountability, and fostering credible partnerships with responsible media professionals for the progress of Jigawa State,” the statement added.
