Omeri: BH abduction of 506 in Damasak untrue

‎Mike Omeri, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and coordinator of the national information centre says no abduction took place at Damasak or anywhere in the northeast recently.

Reuters had reported on Tuesday that about 506 women and children were‎ kidnapped from Damasak earlier in the week.

But Omeri, who was speaking at a press conference in‎ Abuja on Thursday, stated that the media reports were false.

He also presented a letter of apology written by Associated Press (AP) for misquoting him as saying the abduction took place and that abductees were being used as human shields.

“The centre wishes to clarify that there is no fresh abduction in Damasak, Borno state, as has been reported,” he said.

“Additionally, the centre does not have information on the number of those missing after the liberation of the community. In fact, this false report was corrected by Associated Press‎ (AP) last night.”

Omeri noted that “Damasak was under the control‎ of Boko Haram for several months before being liberated last week by the multinational joint task force” comprising troops from Nigeria, Niger and Chad.

“During their occupation of Damasak, Boko Haram moved the community members from their homes to an Islammiya school,” he explained.

“However, upon hearing of the impending military attack, the insurgents released women, the elderly and children before retreating from Damasak.”

He also said that the military was in a last push to free parts of Borno of Boko Haram.

According to the Nigerian military, Yobe and Adamawa states have been completely freed of the militants.

Omeri advised citizens to be security-conscious as they go out to vote on Saturday.

“As the nation prepares for the general elections, it is important to state that the activities of the remaining elements of the Boko Haram group and the disposition of some youth wings of political parties continue to pose serious challenge to the security forces in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections in the northeast zone and other parts of the country.

“It is therefore in this regard that security forces have put in place a number of measures to ensure hitch-free elections.

“Citizens are, therefore, advised to conduct themselves responsibly and also abide by whatever measures put in place by the military and other relevant government agencies to achieve maximum success in the conduct of the elections, particularly in the northeast where adequate security measures have been made for the participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at locations properly designated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).‎”