Nigeria Content Online

The Abia State
Government, yesterday, said it has uncovered a plot by some people to
smuggle 50 suspected kidnappers out of the country.

Kingsley Emeruwa,
the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, who disclosed this while
briefing journalists at the government house, said the state government
has reported the case to the inspector general of police. According to
him, a member of the group, who he said is a relative of the former
personal assistant to the impeached Deputy Governor, Chris Akomas,
impersonated the substantive Deputy Governor, Eric Nwakanma, to ask for
a waiver from the South African Embassy for entry visas for 50 persons
who they claimed were to undergo training on project management and
window server. The state government’s spokesperson said a letter from
the South African embassy to the government asking for confirmation
drew attention to the scam.

Reduced crime rate

Mr Emerua, who also
said kidnapping in the state has reduced following the invitation of
soldiers to the state, said the state Governor, Theodore Orji, has
banned any form of reception party by any group for the soldiers. He
also said the governor has requested that nobody should place any
advertorial for him on his birthday, but instead donate the money that
would have been used for such venture to charity.

The Special Adviser to the governor on security matters, Awa Agwu,
denied media reports that between 12 and 15 persons were kidnapped in
Aba last week. According to him, kidnapping in the state has dropped to
the barest minimum. Mr Agwu said political opponents of the government
are using the press to write things that are not factual, and urged
journalists to crosscheck their facts before publication. “The
prevalence of crime in Abia is below 15% and we commend the Army for a
job well done in the fight against kidnapping,” he said.