By Ugochukwu Alaribe

Abia state government has warned residents of the state against being defrauded over an alleged N10,000 relief support fund from the federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

It was alleged that Gov. Alex Otti, has urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, to open a financial relief support funds to curb the distress in the state due to high inflation and economic hardship.

The report stated that every citizen of the state is entitled to receive N10,000 for 3 months. 

However, Commissioner for Information,Prince Okey Kanu,in a statement,described the report as a scam  designed to defraud unsuspecting members of the public and warned that the scammers also provided a link for people to log on and apply for the said relief fund.

He said; “Abia state government distances itself from the scam publication which is aimed at defrauding  gullible individuals of their hard earned money . The state Government advises all Abians and residents to refrain from patronizing the scammers. The link they provided should not be clicked upon as they will use such an opportunity to collect the vital personal and banking details of victims.

“The public are enjoined to report the perpetrators of this scam to security agencies where their identities are known for necessary action.”

He explained that the government has proper channels of communication to the people and would always deploy such  communication channels when the need rises.

“Government urges the public to ignore  the publication about the purported  relief funds  as it is non- existent.”