Imo Govt Denies Fraudulent Free Bus Scheme for Lagos Residents

|By Adejumo Adekunle –

• Beware of Scams Targeting Imo Festive Travelers
• State Government: Fraudsters Faked Official Announcement
• Public Advised to Avoid Fraudulent Contact Numbers

The Imo State Government has discredited claims of organizing free bus services for Imo citizens in Lagos returning home for the festive season. Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, dismissed the reports, labeling them as fraudulent.

In a statement, Nwachukwu warned the public to ignore the deceptive message, which he described as a criminal scheme to defraud unsuspecting individuals. He revealed that fraudsters fabricated a press release, falsely attributed to his office, to make the scam appear genuine.

“These individuals aim to exploit the festive migration of Imo indigenes with fake promises of free transportation to Owerri, Okigwe, and Orlu,” Nwachukwu stated, adding that the fraudsters provided fake contact numbers and set false travel dates of December 24, 2024, and January 4, 2025.

The statement also cautioned citizens against contacting the numbers or believing claims of a “first-come, first-serve” registration for the buses. Nwachukwu stressed that neither his office nor the state government is connected to the scheme.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and disregard the announcement entirely to avoid falling victim to the scam.