Hon Barde Laments Bandits’ Killings, Kidnappings in His Kaduna Constituency, Condemns NBC Directive to Broadcast Stations
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The Member Representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Hon Yakubu Umar Barde has bemoaned a directive from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to television and radio stations in Nigeria not to report details of the activities of bandits, terrorist and Kidnappers in the country.
Hon Umar Barde who, in a statement, described the directive as “strange”, revealed that bandits have continued to kill and kidnap his constituents unabated.
The minority whip in the House of Representatives recalled that in the last few weeks, he has not only granted interviews to the media on bandits’ activities in his constituency but as raised motion on the floor of the House of Representatives, sharing alarming data of the atrocities being perpetrated in the constituency by the terrorists.
Hon Yakubu Umar Barde said, “I am constrain by the news on credible media outlets to make this statement in regard to a strange directive from the National Broadcasting Commission to television and radio stations in Nigeria not to divulge “details” of the activities of bandits, terrorist and Kidnappers in their reports.
“As the Representative whose constituency (Chikun/Kajuru) is most hit by the activities of these bandits, terrorist and Kidnappers, it is pertinent that I lend my voice to this crafty move by NBC to gag media houses from telling the stories of my people”, Hon Yakubu Umar Barde said.
Narrating the ordeals of his constituents, Hon Umar Barde said that “My constituency have benefitted from the role played by the media to let the world know that my constituents have been killed, maimed, kidnapped, raped and have their villages occupied by these terrorist.
“In the last few weeks, I have engaged the Media by granting interviews, raising motion on the floor of the house and sharing alarming data of the atrocities being perpetrated in my constituency by these terrorists.
“As I write this piece, 121 students of the Bethel Baptist High School, the 14 members of the family of the Emir of Kajuru and 16 member of Anguwan Gimbiya in Sabon Tasha and many others are still in captivity.
“Kidnappings have continued unabated. Just yesterday, two young men were killed by bandits in Kagurdna Village, Kakau Ward in Chikun Local Government.
“Who would have told the world our stories or which platform would I have use to let the world know the predicaments of my people?”, he queried.
As an elected representative, he said, “I have used the Media/Press to give suggestions on possible solutions to this menace by advocating the use of technology and also seeking for foreign assistances for our security agencies.
“I want to categorically state that I stand in solidarity with all press men and media houses and want to indulge them to keep telling the stories of atrocities being committed by terrorists across the country while being professional in carrying out their duties”, Hon Yakubu Umar Barde concluded.
