By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Kaduna State Police command has debunked report of abduction of 27 traders on Kaduna-Abuja expressway by gunmen, describing the report as “misleading”.

While reacting to the news in a statement Thursday, by ASP Mohammed Jalige, spokesperson of the command, called on the general public to disregard the news in its entirety and to always verify the sources of every security reports before circulating to avoid the wrath of the law as the Police will not hesitate to deal with any person or group found wanting.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Kaduna State Police command has been drawn to an online news publication by eonsinteligence.com titled ‘Gunmen abduct 27 Traders on Kaduna-Abuja expressway’.

“The Command wishes to inform the General public that it has no report of certain kidnapping incident along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway as reported by the eonsinteligence.com. Although the writer in his or her wildest imagination refused to give the chronicle of the incident, this gives the Command enough reason to believe that he or she is up to something in his or her bid to avoid scrutiny, mislead the public and create apprehension in the minds of commuters plying the route.

“The Kaduna Police Command will not shy away from acknowledging the challenges of security along the Kaduna-Abuja road, but it is not leaving any stone unturned in its bid to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens and road users which the results is there for all to see.

“It is worthy to note that security have been beefed up in all the vulnerable points along the expressway, that led to the hitch free celebration of Christmas and New Year without any adverse report from that axis.

“The Police cannot as well wash away the contribution of Journalist to National security, but it is always pertinent for them to follow the ethics of professional Journalism in ensuring that the public is fed with wholesome content.

“It is on this note that the Command is calling on the general public to disregard the news in its entirety and to always verify the sources of every security reports before circulating to avoid the wrath of the law as the Police will not hesitate to deal with any person or group found wanting.”

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