Govt not offering free transport to Imo indigenes in Lagos – Gov Uzodinma

The Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Imo State Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, has denied reports circulating that the state government has arranged free bus transportation for Imo citizens residing in Lagos who wish to travel home for the festive season.

He clarified that the information did not originate from his office and should be disregarded.

In a press statement issued by him, Nwachukwu described the report as a criminal attempt to defraud members of the public, particularly Imo citizens, by unscrupulous individuals.

He alleged that the fraudulent scheme was an attempt to exploit home-bound Imo residents in Lagos for financial gain.

“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 release stated.

Nwachukwu further revealed that the fraudsters included fake contact phone numbers in their message and warned the public against contacting these numbers, as they are part of the scam.

He 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 categorically stated that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media to the Governor did not issue any statement regarding what he described as a fraudulent travel plan.

“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 peril,” he emphasised.