The Imo State Government has refuted circulating reports suggesting it is offering free transportation for Imo indigenes residing in Lagos to travel home during the festive season.
In an official statement, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, dismissed the claims, describing them as fraudulent and unauthorized. “The information did not originate from my office and should be disregarded in its entirety,” Nwachukwu clarified.
Nwachukwu labeled the misinformation as a criminal attempt by unscrupulous individuals seeking to defraud unsuspecting Imo citizens. He warned that the scheme was designed to exploit residents eager to return home for the Yuletide period.
“A group of fraudsters has devised a scheme to deceive the public by falsely announcing free bus transportation to Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu. To legitimize their actions, they fabricated a press release purportedly from my office, setting travel dates for December 24, 2024, and January 4, 2025,” the statement read.
According to Nwachukwu, the perpetrators included fake contact numbers, urging the public to avoid engaging with these lines. He further cited excerpts from the fraudulent notice, which falsely indicated that the buses would operate on a first-come basis and prohibited large luggage.
“For clarity, the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media to the Governor has not issued any statement regarding such transportation plans. This announcement is entirely false and deceptive,” Nwachukwu emphasized.
The Imo State Government urged the public, especially Imo indigenes in Lagos, to disregard the fraudulent claims to avoid falling victim to the scam.
