Abubakar Bello described the news, which broke out on some online media as '' untrue and also a blatant misrepresentation of what happened''.
The Governor reacted in a press statement issued by Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Government.
Read the press statement below:
''I am compelled to react to the story making round in the media of an alleged holding "hostage" of Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, the governor of Niger State by some aggrieved youth. The story is not only untrue but a blatant misrepresentation of what happened.
''At no time since the inauguration of Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello that his person or convoy was held hostage, rather he has continued to enjoy the support and commendation of his people across the state. It is so pathetic that a sincere and genuine act of informally interacting with the people by the governor can be misconstrued by some people.
''To set the record straight, it is pertinent to note that the alleged "hostage" was a figment the imagination of the authors and sponsors of the story, as no such incident ever happened. In line with the strict adherence to traffic law, despite the immunity accorded his office, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Monday on his way to flag off the Immunisation Plus Days at Kafin Tella area of Minna, the state capital stopped to observe the traffic light at Lagos Street junction, along Bosso Road.
''Some youth in the neighbourhood who spotted the governor rushed to his vehicle to exchange pleasantries with him and in his usual characteristic manner, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello lower the side glasses of his car to interact with them.
''Unlike what was reported, most of the youth that milled round the governor during the brief encounter came to commend him for obeying the traffic light by setting a precedent for other leaders to emulate.
''The brief interaction that lasted for less than 70 seconds could not have been taken for hostage as the governor willing stopped to obey the traffic light and drove off when passed without any let or hindrance.
''I make bold to say that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has subscribed to obeying traffic light no matter how urgent his movement was.
''We have witnessed instances when the governor will break the convoy and stop in villages to get the feeling of his people by interacting with them. His stoppage at the traffic light was so short a time that a set of youth can hold him "hostage" not with a full complement of security operatives.
''I wish to appeal to newsmen in the state to verify their stories before going to Press. They should avoid sensational stories that tend to cause disaffection.
