Governor denies receiving intelligence report on Kaduna twin blasts

Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State on Wednesday denied ever
receiving intelligence report on the twin bomb blasts that rocked the
state last month, which led to the death of more than 70 persons, with
scores sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Also affected in one of the attacks were a former Head of State and
Chief of All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd)
and a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

Buhari later in a statement alleged he was a target of assassination.
Reacting to an online media report, the governor through his
Director-General, Media and Public Affairs, Mallam Ahmed Mayaki, in a
statement in Kaduna on Wednesday, said he had no security report that
forewarned of the twin blasts.

The statement said,: "We are aware of an unfortunate and also
erroneous report being circulated to media houses on a purported
security report that forewarned His Excellency, the Executive Governor
of Kaduna State, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, of the July 23 bombings
that occurred in Kaduna metropolis.

"While we appreciate efforts being made by security agencies in
maintaining law and order in the state, it is however sad that some
persons within the services could peddle misinformation and
deliberately spread falsehood to media platforms on the sad event.

"To put the records straight, we wish to state unequivocally that
Governor Yero received no security report from the Department of State
Security or any of the security agencies warning of an impending
bombing in the state.

"As a leader committed to the security of lives and property of the
entire people of Kaduna State, Governor Yero will never treat such
piece of information with levity and this has been demonstrated in his
handling of sensitive issues since assuming office as Governor.

"We therefore view the so-called security report on the bombing as
another plot by mischief makers not only to bring the person of
Governor Yero to disrepute but also to throw Kaduna State into
confusion.

"The entire people of Kaduna State should disregard the erroneous
report and go about their lawful businesses without fear as the State
Government is ever committed to protecting their wellbeing at all
times.

"We challenge the so-called 'anonymous source' of the report to
provide proof of any of the purported letter written to the Governor
by the Director of Department of State Service in the State."