By CHUKWUEMEKA OPARA

The Ebonyi government has said it is not doubting the authenticity of an indigene’s trek from Lagos to Abakaliki, despite public doubt over the feat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Jeremiah Obaji, a native of Alaoma in Ohaukwu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, claimed he trekked from Lagos to Abakaliki to appreciate Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s peace intervention in his community.

The governor on Sept. 7, rewarded Obaji with N10million for his efforts, but reports were rife that he was sighted at the Ohaukwu headquarters on Sept. 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.

“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.

Echiegu said his principal appreciated Obaji for the risk he took in embarking on the journey.

“Obaji appreciates the governor’s peace efforts in warring areas which has brought stability across communities in the state.

“The governor has embarked on housing projects to rehabilitate displaced persons, demarcation of boundaries in warring communities among other peace and rehabilitation initiatives,” he said.

Obaji, while speaking with newsmen, said the trek took him 17 days from his base in Ikorodu, Lagos.

“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,” he said. (NAN)