'When a thief is caught...' Buhari's aide apologises for gaffe over kidnapped boys

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, has apologised for the blunder he committed over his disagreement with the state governor, Bello Masari.

Recall that Freelanews reported how Shehu had claimed that just ten boys were abducted as against the report given by the governor that they were 333.

The aide decided to come clean and apologise to Nigerians for the error after the boys regained their freedom and were obviously more than ten.

Garba claimed he was misled by someone who should have known and he was not trying to downplay the situation.

He wrote:

“I apologize for the incorrect communication citing that only 10 students were kidnapped at the science school, Kankara.

“This communication of numbers was provided by persons that should ideally know. These numbers were seen to conflict with what was available at that time.

“Please understand that this communication was in no way done to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

“Please accept my sincere apologies on this matter as we continue to move our great Nation Nigeria forward. Thank you.”

However, Nigerians were not having it. Some accused the aide of peddling fake news and should be prosecuted, while others accused of incompetency.

Some ppl that cannot secure their region are talking about moving Nigeria forward,try and move North forward first before you think about Nigeria. Nigeria gave North evey things and positions just to secure themselves bcos they are enemy of them self they fail totally
— oderinde kazeem ajani (@AjaniOderinde) December 18, 2020

You are the President’s spokesman, means whatever you say is from the President. How come “persons that should ideally know” misled the President to issue a statement through you that is clearly a lie? It shows the level of incompetence and unseriousness at the presidency! pic.twitter.com/Y7GTyNjwKt
— Oserume (@Oserume1) December 18, 2020

Other comments were mean.

When a thief is caught he will say; this is his first time. You wanted to do your usual propaganda but this one didn’t flow well. So you didn’t verify information before announcing? God will continue to disgrace all of you for your deception.
— Women_Advocate🧕🧕🧕 (@hauwa_farouk) December 18, 2020

With due respect sir , your verbal diarrhea has caused lots of mixed reactions among Nigerians. its needs urgent evaluation.
I don’t expect a citizen of your position to spread false and unverified information .
Apologies accepted
— B B Umar Shagari (@BabangidaBUmar) December 18, 2020

You can visit the aide’s handle here to read more or drop your comments below.