The management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), has debunked report of gunmen attack on its campus in Sokoto, describing the report as false and malicious.
In a press statement signed by the public relations officer of the school, Muhammad Isa, and made available to newsmen in the state, the management said the attack occurred a few kilometres away from the school.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Management of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto has been drawn to a news item with the caption: ‘Gunmen Attack Usmanu Dan Fodio University, kill one, Others Hospitalized’ published by Vanguard newspapers edition of 18th November 2023.
“Ordinarily, the Management of the University would have ignored the news item for what it is; false and unfounded, but perhaps for the malicious intent of the writer who seemingly wants to feed the gullible public with fiction in order to instill fear in the minds of members of the University community, we are forced to react so as to put the record straight.
“The truth is that Dundayen Bakin Gulbi village where the gunmen visited does not share the same community with the Usmanu Danfodiyo University. The village is about two kilometres away from the University, therefore an attack on the village cannot be said to be an attack on the University.
“The newspaper even quoted an eyewitness, who is a resident of the village. He said, as quoted by the newspaper: “According to a resident of the village when the gunmen stormed the village, youth in the community resisted and confronted the gunmen.”
The statement further disclosed that the University has a well-coordinated security in place, by virtue of its good working relationship with the security agencies in the state on one hand and the internal security network within the University on the other.
“Thus the approach would have been different, rather than “confrontation by the youth” as stated by the Newspaper. The University has built a long-standing cordial working relationship with members of the media over several decades, it is our belief that if there was any sensitive issue like the one reported by the newspaper, the reporter should have the courtesy as demanded by the ethics of journalism to contact the University Management to get an official position before rushing to press.
“The University’s doors have always been opened for members of the media and wondered why the Vanguard reporter decided otherwise”
“It however reaffirmed that Usmanu Danfodiyo University has not experienced any gunmen attack. “We urge members of the public to ignore the report for what it is; arrant false, malicious and figment of the reporter’s imagination.”
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