No Gamji College student was kidnapped, says government
By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
SOKOTO — The Sokoto State Government has dismissed as false a report alleging the abduction of 18 students of Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, saying no student of the institution was kidnapped
The government, in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, said the report was inaccurate and capable of creating unnecessary panic among students, parents and members of the public
The clarification followed a report attributed to Sahara Reporters alleging that 18 students of the private health institution were travelling in a chartered bus from Sokoto to Oyo State when they were intercepted and abducted by suspected terrorists
The state government urged the public to disregard the report, describing it as “false and having no basis in fact”
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, no student of Gamji College of Health Technology, Sokoto, was abducted by suspected terrorists,” the government stated
According to the government, the person involved in the reported abduction was Halima Sokeni, whom it identified as a former student of Gamji College of Nursing Sciences, More Area, Sokoto State, and not a current student of Gamji College of Health Technology
The statement said Sokeni graduated from the institution as a midwife in September 2026 and was travelling home on Thursday, October 1, when she and other passengers were reportedly abducted in Niger State
The government’s clarification came amid concerns over insecurity and the safety of students and other travellers along interstate routes, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria
It stressed the need for accuracy in reporting security incidents, warning that unverified information could heighten public anxiety and damage the reputation of institutions and government agencies
The state government therefore urged journalists and media organisations to verify information thoroughly before publishing reports, particularly those involving alleged mass abductions, terrorism and the safety of students
“Journalists and media organisations should always adhere to the ethics and professional standards of journalism by verifying information before publication, in order to avoid spreading false, misleading and potentially alarming reports,” the statement said
The government said the clarification was necessary to prevent what it described as a false report from generating further confusion and anxiety among families, students and the general public