President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock over the reported kidnapping of five newborn babies in Nkpologwu Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State, directing that the rising crime rate in the areas be reduced without any delay.
Aguata is the LGA of the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo and the town where the incident took place, Nkpologwu, and his hometown Isuofia is few kilometres away.
Meanwhile, the government of Anambra State issued a statement denying that the incident took place, describing it as unfounded and insisting that there was no gun attack in an Anambra hospital wherein four newborn babies were abducted.
But Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu, stated in a statement conveying the Presidential directive that “the reported kidnapping occurred at Stanley Hospital, Nkpologwu in the State. The attackers picked the babies and zoomed off.
“In expressing his concern about the strange incident, President Buhari said this case must be solved immediately. He directed that security at hospitals must be foolproof so that attacks of this nature do not happen again.”
The Anambra State government, in a statement by said: “There are reports currently flying around social media by supposedly respectable national media that gunmen attacked a maternity hospital in Anambra State and abducted four newborn babies.
“The report neither stated the name of the hospital nor the identities of the mothers whose babies were abducted.
“The Government of Anambra State wishes to state in very clear terms that the report is NOT TRUE. No such attack took place in Anambra State and no babies were abducted.
“These are mere fictions sponsored by dishonest and unethical reporters to create fear among Ndi Anambra, but they will not succeed as Government has ensured there is enough boots on the ground to protect our people this Yuletide.
“Anybody that dares the government resolve to ensure a peaceful season will only have himself to blame.
“The government is urging Ndi Anambra to go about their normal businesses without fear.”
