Di National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) don come out to debunk one serious report wey dey circulate say about 150 bandits drown for boat accident for Sokoto State. According to di authority, di whole story na pure fabrication wey no get any truth for inside.
Di NIWA Area Manager for Sokoto Zonal Office, Mr. Bello Bala, talk to journalists for Monday for Sokoto to clear di air. Bala yarn say di report wey claim say bandits drown for Sabon Gida area for Sabon Birni Local Government Area na complete lie. E stress say di river wey dem mention no even fit carry boat pass because e no navigable at all.
“Make una no believe dat kain story,” Bala talk. “If such thing happen for our waterways, we for don hear am from di community people demself. We dey always engage riverine communities on safety matters, including how to use life jacket and other important things for water. But for dis case, nothing happen at all.”
Di area manager appeal to media houses to always verify news from correct sources before dem go publish am. E remind journalists say NIWA dey always available to give correct information about waterways matters for Sokoto and other areas.
Meanwhile, one source from 8 Division of di Nigerian Army for Sokoto also confirm say di report na fake. Di military source wey beg to remain anonymous talk say troops dey all over di area and no report of boat wey capsize with bandits reach dem.
“Our soldiers dey ground for all di areas wey dem mention,” di source explain. “If boat carry bandits capsize for river, we for don know. But nothing like dat happen. Di news wey dey circulate na just fake news wey some people create to cause confusion.”
Dis development come as troops of di Nigerian Army continue operations against bandits for parts of Zamfara and Sokoto states. Just last week, soldiers carry out operation for Fakai community wey dey between Shinkafi and Isa Local Government Areas, targeting di camp of notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji.
During di operation, troops encounter ambush from bandits near Maberaya village for Isa Local Government Area after two military vehicles develop mechanical problems. However, di soldiers respond with superior firepower and manage to kill several bandits during di exchange of gunfire.
Three soldiers and one operative from Department of State Services sustain injuries during di clash and dem evacuate dem to 8 Division Military Hospital for Sokoto for treatment. Di military source emphasize say despite di ongoing operations, di report of 150 bandits drowning for river remain false.
NIWA manager Bala add say even if bandits wan use di river, di Sabon Gida area no fit support boat movement now. “Di water level no reach, and di river channel no good for navigation,” e explain. “So how bandits go dey inside boat for place wey boat no fit pass? Di story no make sense at all.”
Di authority warn say spreading fake news about security matters fit cause unnecessary panic among citizens. Dem advise people to always confirm news from official sources like NIWA, military authorities, or government agencies before dem go believe or share am.
For di past few years, banditry don become serious security challenge for northwestern Nigeria, especially for states like Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina. Security forces don dey carry out various operations to tackle di problem, but fake news sometimes dey complicate di situation.
NIWA promise say dem go continue to work with communities and security agencies to ensure safety on waterways. Di authority also announce say dem dey plan more safety awareness programs for riverine areas to educate people on proper water transportation practices.
As di debunking of dis fake news dey go on, security experts advise citizens to remain vigilant but not to spread unverified information. Dem say fake news fit distract security agencies from their real work and even put innocent people for danger.
Di Nigerian Army through 8 Division for Sokoto maintain say dem dey committed to protecting lives and property for di region. Dem assure citizens say all reports of security incidents dey properly investigated before any official statement come out.
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