Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Col. Samaila Yombe (rtd), Thursday, dismissed the rumour making the rounds that he was kidnapped as his convoy was attacked by bandits when he visited troops at the front line in southern part of the state.
The deputy governor disclosed this while speaking with Daily Trust in Birnin Kebbi.
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He was at the frontline for what he described as ‘Militarily Battle Field Tour’ to enable him asses the mission, logistics as well as requirements of the troops.
Yombe further explained that he joined the troop escorting their Commanding Officer to the front line with a view to assessing how they were executing the mission.
He added that the bandits who had mixed up with inhabitants of Kanya village attacked the troops and that led to a fire exchange on the outskirts of the village.
On number of casualties recorded, Yombe said it was not part of his mandate to give the number of casualties recorded during the fight.
“This is a big joke, for a bandit to hold me captive that is not even in the dream. There was nothing close to that; there was nothing like that.”
“That is frivolous. You can see me before you sitting at the comfort of my house. I am free like a bird.
“A military unit from 232 Tank Battalion Zuru, which is of about 30 to 35 soldiers, were escorting their Commanding Officer, whom I joined with a view to visit the troops.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) in Kanya a serious fight took place. For the fact that the bandits have mixed up with the inhabitants of Kanya it became very difficult for the troops to fight them for fear of collateral damage.
“But as the troop pulled out of the town they were pulled along; this help to separate them from the inhabitants. In a battle situation like this there must be casualties.
“In the process of disengaging them from the town to a most stable place that is where both side recorded casualties. It is not for me to give the number of casualties.”
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