The Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Imo State Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, has dismissed reports that the state government will offer free bus transportation for Imo citizens residing in Lagos who wish to travel home for the festive season.
Naija News reports that Nwachukwu, in a press release, cited excerpts from the fraudulent statement issued by the alleged criminals: “Please, the buses are free and operate on a first-come accreditation basis. Once the seats are fully booked, registration closes. (PLS DO NOT PAY ANYBODY ONE KOBO).
“The buses are NOT LUXURY BUSES, so only passengers with small, sizable luggage will be allowed (no big boxes or heavy loads are permitted). The buses will leave on Tuesday, 24th December, at exactly 7:15 AM for Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu.”
Nwachukwu described the report as a criminal attempt by unscrupulous individuals to defraud members of the public, particularly Imo citizens.
He clarified the information did not originate from his office and that the fraudulent scheme was an attempt to exploit home-bound Imo residents in Lagos for financial gain.
Nwachukwu further revealed that the fraudsters included fake contact phone numbers in their message and warned the public against contacting these numbers, adding that those who take the message seriously do so at their peril.
He said, “A group of individuals, believed to be fraudulent elements seeking to exploit the massive return of Imo indigenes residing in Lagos for the Yuletide, has devised devious means to defraud unsuspecting individuals under the guise of offering free transportation to Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu.
“To make their malicious intent appear legitimate, they fabricated a press statement, purportedly issued by my office, announcing such a project. In their warped imagination, they have deliberately set December 24, 2024, and January 4, 2025, as the dates for the supposed trips from Lagos to Imo and back.
“The statement is both false and deceptive and could not have emanated from the government. Therefore, the general public, particularly Imo citizens in Lagos or other parts of the country intending to travel home for the festive season, should disregard this statement and its authors entirely, as taking it seriously would be at their own peri.”
