Deputy Governor of Kebbi state, Col. Samaila Yombe (rtd) has debunked the rumor of being kidnapped by bandits after his convoy was attacked by bandits while visiting troops at the front line in the southern part of the state.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Yombe said he was at the frontline for a ‘Militarily Battle Field Tour’ to enable him assess the mission, logistics as well as requirements of the troops.

The Deputy Governor however admitted that bandits who had mixed up with residents of Kanya village attacked the troops on Tuesday March 8, and that led to a gun battle. 

He said; 

“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.

“On 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.”