The Ebonyi State Government has said it is not doubting the authenticity of an indigene’s trek from Lagos State to Abakaliki, the state capital, despite public doubt over the feat.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jeremiah Obaji, a native of Alaoma in Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, claimed he trekked from Lagos to Abakaliki to appreciate Governor Francis Nwifuru’s peace intervention in his community.
The governor on September 7, 2025 rewarded Obaji with N10 million for his efforts, but reports were rife that he was sighted at the Ohaukwu headquarters on September 6.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, who presented the reward to Obaji, however told NAN on Monday that the government had no reason to doubt the authenticity of the trek.
Echiegu said: “We did not monitor the trek but have no reason to believe it is fake.
“Obaji has nothing to gain by faking the trek but it is the duty of the media to investigate it.”
He said his principal appreciated Obaji for the risk he took in embarking on the journey.
He said: “Obaji appreciates the governor’s peace efforts in warring areas, which has brought stability across communities in the state.
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“The governor has embarked on housing projects to rehabilitate displaced persons, demarcation of boundaries in warring communities among other peace and rehabilitation initiatives.”
Obaji, while speaking with newsmen, said the trek took him 17 days from his base in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
He said: “My community was enmeshed in serious communal conflict which resulted in the loss of several lives and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
“I am taking care of my parents and relatives who were displaced and this made me deeply understand the impact of the governor’s intervention.”
