The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has dismissed reports on social media that his convoy was attacked by suspected bandits in Mashegu Local Government Area.

Naija News reports that the Governor, in a statement through the Chief Press Secretary Bologi Ibrahim, described the news of the gunmen attack as baseless, false and unfounded.

Bologi insisted that the Governor has been having a smooth tour across the state.

He said, “The convoy of the Governor has been having a smooth tour of ongoing projects across the Niger North Senatorial District since last week.

“The governor’s tour has been peaceful with no incident of any attack or threat to his safety or that of his team.” 

In other news, the former lawmaker representing Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Joseph Haruna Kigbu, on Monday, was abducted by suspected bandits while traveling to Jos.

Naija News learnt that the incident happened around 6:00 p.m., between Nunku in Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, and Gwantu in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

The kidnappers during the attack shot the police escort assigned to Kigbu, who attempted to resist the abduction.

According to Vanguard, eyewitnesses revealed that the bandits fired sporadically, causing panic among motorists in the area.

Local villagers confirmed the incident, adding that the location has been a hotspot for criminal activities over the years.

The abduction of Dr. Kigbu and the death of the police escort underscore the persistent security challenges plaguing the region, with many residents calling for increased security presence in the area.