Yobe attack story false, no such incident occurred – Zagazola Fact Check

Yobe attack story false, no such incident occurred – Zagazola Fact Check

By: Zagazola Makama

The reported killing of at least 84 people in Mafa community, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State, is false and without basis, Zagazola Fact Check can authoritatively confirm.

Contrary to claims published by a national newspaper, no such attack or mass burial took place in the community. Checks across multiple security and government sources revealed that Yobe has remained largely peaceful, with residents pursuing their daily activities.

The Yobe State Police Command, the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Affairs, and the Chairman of Tarmuwa Local Government Council have all dismissed the report, describing it as fictitious and misleading.

In a statement, Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, said the publication inflicted psychological trauma on residents of Mafa community and unfairly portrayed the state as under siege.

“It is a gross disservice to journalism for a newspaper to allow its reporter to mislead Nigerians and the world with such a false, baseless and unwarranted publication,” he said.

Mohammed said the government was deeply concerned that the fabricated report could damage Yobe’s image, which has benefited from sustained peace-building efforts over the past years.

Fact-checks by Zagazola further confirmed that no police record, security briefing, record from Sector 2 Operation Hadin Kai and Theartre Command or community report supported the claims of 150 terrorists storming Mafa, nor the alleged burial of dozens of victims in Babangida. Residents contacted by Zagazola also confirmed there had been no such incident.

We wonder what motive lay behind the publication of such an unfounded story, which exists only in fiction. This reporter could put the credibility of the Newspaper on the line by circulating a report that collapses under basic scrutiny.

The public is therefore advised to disregard the report in its entirety. Yobe State, and Mafa community in particular, remain peaceful and calm.
End