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Sokoto govt debunks report of 18 students’ abduction
NG🏛️ PoliticsCenter3 hr. ago

Sokoto govt debunks report of 18 students’ abduction

The Sokoto State Government has denied allegations that 18 students from Gamji College of Health Technology were abducted by suspected terrorists. In a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, the government called the report false and warned against spreading unverified information that could cause panic. The claim originated from Sahara Reporters, which alleged that the students were traveling in a chartered bus when they were intercepted and abducted. The government clarified that the individual involved was Halima Sokeni, a former student who had graduated in September 2026 and was traveling home when she was allegedly abducted in Niger State. The statement emphasized the importance of accurate reporting and urged journalists to verify information before publication.

The Sokoto State Government and Gamji College of Health Technology have denied reports claiming that 18 of the institution's students were abducted by suspected terrorists during a trip to Oyo State. The denial comes after a report surfaced on Monday, October 5, 2026, suggesting that the students were traveling in a chartered bus when they were attacked and taken hostage, with the driver reportedly killed. In a statement released by the Director-General of Media and Publicity at Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, the state government explicitly refuted the claim. It emphasized that no student of Gamji College of Health Technology had been abducted. The government urged the public to disregard the report, calling it false and lacking factual foundation. The college also issued a clarification through its Registrar, Bello Abdulrahman, stating that the report was false and misleading. He confirmed that none of the students had been kidnapped and that all were safe and continuing with their academic and professional programs. The college called on parents and the public to ignore the report and not spread it further. The state government clarified that the individual reportedly involved in the abduction was Halima Sokeni, a former student of Gamji College of Nursing Sciences who had graduated as a midwife in September 2026. She was traveling home on Thursday, October 1, when she and others were allegedly abducted in Niger State. The government reiterated that Sokeni was not a current student of Gamji College of Health Technology. The government expressed concern over the potential for misinformation to create unnecessary fear and highlighted the importance of accurate reporting. It urged journalists and media organizations to ensure the accuracy of their reports, especially regarding sensitive issues like abductions and terrorism. This call follows recent incidents of insecurity affecting travelers in northern Nigeria. Both the Sokoto State Government and Gamji College of Health Technology remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of their students. They continue to collaborate with relevant security agencies to provide a secure learning environment.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentCenterFactual 70Objective 803 hr. ago
Sokoto govt, college deny abduction of 18 students

The Sokoto State Government and Gamji College of Health Technology have denied allegations that 18 students were abducted by suspected terrorists during a trip to Oyo State. The denial comes after a report published on October 5, 2026, claimed the students were attacked and kidnapped, with the driver allegedly killed. Both authorities stated that no students from the college were involved in the incident, calling the report false and misleading. The government clarified that a former student, Halima Sokeni, who had graduated earlier, was the individual reported abducted, and she was traveling home when she was taken in Niger State. Authorities urged the public to disregard the report and emphasized the importance of verifying information before dissemination.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a clear denial from both the Sokoto State Government and the college management regarding the abduction claim. There is no evident ideological leaning in the framing of the story, as it focuses on factual denials and calls for responsible journalism. The tone remains neutral, re

Why factuality (70): The article includes quotes from both the Sokoto State Government and the college management denying the abduction claim. It references the report and the subsequent clarifications, but again lacks independent verification. The information presented is largely based on the statements from the author

Why objectivity (80): The piece remains objective, presenting the denials from multiple sources without injecting personal opinion or emotional weight. It frames the issue as a matter of public record and emphasizes the official stance without advocating for either side.

Vanguard Nigeria logoVanguard NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 855 hr. ago
Sokoto govt debunks report of 18 students’ abduction

The Sokoto State Government has denied allegations that 18 students from Gamji College of Health Technology were abducted by suspected terrorists. In a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Sokoto, Abubakar Bawa, the government called the report false and warned against spreading unverified information that could cause panic. The claim originated from Sahara Reporters, which alleged that the students were traveling in a chartered bus when they were intercepted and abducted. The government clarified that the individual involved was Halima Sokeni, a former student who had graduated in September 2026 and was traveling home when she was allegedly abducted in Niger State. The statement emphasized the importance of accurate reporting and urged journalists to verify information before publication.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a government response to a false report, emphasizing the need for verified information and responsible journalism. While the subject involves security concerns and public safety, the framing remains neutral, focusing on correcting misinformation rather than taking a partisan立场.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (85): The tone remains neutral, presenting the government's statement without overt bias or emotional language. The article avoids taking sides and focuses on relaying the official response, maintaining a balanced approach.

Premium Times Nigeria logoPremium Times NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 807 hr. ago
Sokoto health college denies report of 18 students’ abduction en route to Oyo

The article reports that Gamji College of Health Technology in Sokoto has denied claims of 18 students being abducted while traveling to Oyo. The institution explicitly states that none of its students were involved in such an incident. The denial comes in response to a previous report by Premium Times Nigeria, which had circulated the allegation. The college’s statement suggests that the abductions, if they occurred, may involve individuals not affiliated with their institution. No further details or evidence supporting the claim were provided in the article.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a straightforward denial from a local educational institution regarding a reported abduction incident. There is no overt ideological framing, partisan language, or emphasis on specific political groups. The focus remains on the institutional response rather than any broader soci

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing solely on reporting the denial without introducing personal opinions or emotional language. However, its brevity may leave room for interpretation regarding the credibility of the denial itself.

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