Wednesday 18 August 2021: -The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), yesterday debunked what it termed ‘false claims’ of hoisting strange flag at its headquarters in Abuja.

The agency, in a statement by its Press and Public Relations, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, hinted that its attention has been drawn to a picture with various captions that is circulating in the social media and alleging that a strange flag has been hoisted at the headquarters of the agency in Abuja.

The NEMA said: “The allegation is false as the agency has not hoisted any strange flag. The Nigerian National Flag and that of NEMA are the only flags in the offices of the agency.”

The agency further stated that it is unfortunate that the picture that has been circulating in the social media was taken by suspected mischief makers on Friday August 13, 2021, at the commissioning of NEMA’s newly upgraded Emergency Call Centre (ECC).

The statement said: “The centre was upgraded with supports from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, that has also provided food assistance to persons affected by insurgency in the North East and banditry in the North West in 2018 and this year.

“Flags are very important national symbols. Therefore, it was normal to have flags of Nigeria and that of Saudi Arabia placed behind representatives of the two nations at a bilateral function such as the commissioning of the upgraded ECC that was funded by an agency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the benefits of Nigerians.

“It should be noted that present the function were representatives of the Embassy of the Saudi Arabia and a team from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre. Afterwards, the Saudi Flag was removed immediately.”

The NEMA further noted that the clarification has become imperative to correct the false alarm raised by purveyors of fake news with mischievous intention to misinform the public and create wrong impression about the agency.