The Federal Government has apprehended five individuals intending to use fake COVID-19 vaccination cards to travel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
They were caught while trying to pass through the clearance process at the airport.
They were, however, discovered following prompts by the Port Health Services (PHS), which further notified the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) of the development of the situation.
A source at the agency said a preliminary investigation on the matter revealed that one traveler, Lawrence Aire Esechie, presented the fake covid-19 vaccination card.
Upon inquiry, he stated that he had gotten the card from his travel agent Akeem Adeniji.
Upon interrogating Adeniji, he revealed that he paid N15,000 to one Loveth Mba Johnson that operates a business center/travel agent at a park opposite NICON Insurance Plaza, Central Area in Abuja.
In a related development, the source disclosed that the next day, August 4, 2022, at about 10:30 hours, four other passengers still at the NAIA were apprehended for presenting fake Covid-19 vaccination cards. They included: Chinemelum Gabriel Ihejirika, Evans Chukwuyem Onyibe, Stanley Chidubem Stephen, and Arinzechukwu Stanley Ohiri.
All the suspects have been profiled and documented by the Department of State Services (DSS) unit at the FCT State command of the state security service for further action.
