The Niger Police Command has said that it was not aware of any attack in Niger State by fleeing Boko Haram members.

In a statement signed by DSP Bala Elkalla, the Police Command said that the alleged attack which was reported by some media houses was false and malicious.

“The attention of Niger State Police Command has been drawn to online reports especially from Thisday Newspaper and Leadership Sunday of 1/1/2017 on alleged invasion of some villages in Rafi LGA, of Niger by fleeing Boko Haram from the recaptured Sambisa forest.

“The report is not only false but malicious and calculated at causing fear and panic among the peace loving people of Niger State.

“The report is clearly a fiction emanating from the writers imagination.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Niger State is among the few states in the country that has conquered cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed banditry.

“It is on record that within the past few months, the command, in its aggressive operations arrested over 40 armed bandits and recovered over 1,000 cattle and various types of assorted weapons.

“In Rafi LGA alone, being a boundary community with Kaduna state, Zamfara and Kebbi states, the command has over 500 mobile policemen and special anti-robbery squads patrolling the villages.

“Members of the public are enjoined to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.

“The command has put in place sensitive security measures to guarantee adequate protection of lives and properties of the people.”

The statement urged political office holders to refrain from statements capable of truncating the long enjoyed peace in Niger State.

It also advised journalists to verify their reports in order to adequately inform the public. (NAN)