Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar has denied having any link with bandits and terrorists in Niger State.
His denial followed social media reports last week alleging that he owned a helicopter used to deliver arms and ammunition to bandits and terrorists within the state.
Abdulsalami 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 said.
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 was contained in a statement by his media aide, Dr. Yakubu Suleiman.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) urged President Buhari to probe the helicopter said to have been supernaturally brought down by locals who were irritated by the mission of the chopper in Arina Village of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
It was reported that the locals supernaturally directed swarms of bees to cause the said helicopter to crash.
Meanwhile, ACF in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe said, the result of the investigation will clear whatever doubts there are about righting the country’s security challenges.
The ACF said: “Early in March this year at the height of the kidnap of students of the Jangebe Government Girls’ Secondary School, in Zamfara, the Federal Government slammed a ban of flights over the state.
“In reaction, our National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe issued a statement calling for the ban to be extended to states such as Borno, Taraba, Benue, Yobe where there were rumours that arms, foodstuffs and other supplies were being dropped for bandits by a mysterious helicopter.
“Today, there are various accounts that a helicopter that has been used to drop supplies for the criminals has been arrested.
“The accounts are rather confusing. With the rather scandalous accusation that a former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami is the owner of the aircraft. The General has since dismissed the rumour that he owns it.
“We have diligently followed these sordid revelations in the media. The Arewa Consultative Forum is convinced that there is a need for an open and transparent investigation.
“We hope the result of this investigation will clear whatever doubts there are about righting our security challenges,” ACF said.
Meanwhile, Governor 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 an urgent need to seek God’s intervention in the security situation in the state.
He told reporters 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 the prayer sessions would continue after Ramadan.
“We encourage every stakeholder to support governments’ efforts with prayers. With God, I believe everything is possible,’’ he said.
