The country home of the immediate-past senator for Imo North, Frank Ibezim, and the Nzu Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) have been set ablaze following an erroneous report linking the former lawmaker to the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Imo state.
The spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, who confirmed the attacks advocated a refrain from making inciting statement.
The fleeing arsonists set ablaze the sprawling NOUN Study Centre in Nsu in Ehime Mbano local government area where Ibezim also hails from.
Both edifices are now in ruins with many computers in the study centre gutted in the midnight attack.
Ibezim had on Monday issued a statement to debunk alleged claims by some people within the state that the federal government was planning to relocate IDPs, refugees, and migrants from Maidugiri to Imo state.
The alleged relocation of IDPs had generated wide criticisms across social media platforms.
A television station had aired a report of the lawmaker's recent visit to the NOUN Nsu Study Centre alongside the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Visuals of IDPs used in the report fueled claims that the affected persons would be relocated to the state.
However, Ibezim in his statement had explained that the "visit was for two federal agencies to assess the facilities to determine if they could be used for training in specialised skills, following our request to utilise the already built incubation center."
According to him, NOUN Nsu Centre "was the third agency of government (Michael Okpara University and the Biotechnology Agency, prior), to undertake this assessment and adaptability visit for the purpose of evaluating the facilities for training.
"We believe that if the training facilities meet their requirements, we would be pleased to have these agencies collaborate with NOUN Nsu to train qualifying candidates".
Further, he had said, "First, I must clarify that the video of refugees attached to the TVC broadcast, which has caused understandable anxiety, was not filmed in Imo State. The insinuation that there is intent to settle IDPs, refugees, or migrant persons at the NOUN Nsu Centre is entirely false.
"As a responsible stakeholder, when I see an opportunity for our community, I must act. Obviously, there are mischief-makers who aim to distort my genuine intentions."
He further clarified that NOUN Nsu is a federal, multi-disciplinary educational institution, open to qualified applicants from across Nigeria and beyond, just like all other federal institutions in the country.
Adding, he noted that "The facilities at NOUN Nsu are already in use, with over 200 students enrolled since its commencement in October 2023, and further intake is ongoing."
He noted that, "While it is understandable that the visiting agency's name includes "refugees," this does not encompass their full mandate. They also work to equip communities with necessary skills through integrative programmes.
"The agency is not seeking to resettle or relocate any refugees. They aim to use the existing facilities to train eligible individuals from time to time," he stated.
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He added that it was crucial for the government to focus on utilising existing infrastructure completed in the last administration instead of constructing new ones, especially in the face of scarce resources and the hardships faced by the citizens.
"For emphasis, I must restate that there are no plans to settle IDPs, refugees or migrant persons at the National Open University Centre, Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA. Any such claim is categorically false. I will never be part of such a plan. The plan is for skills training for our vulnerable young people from the South East."
He said all well-meaning citizens should put hands on deck in the efforts to synergise with the government to facilitate human development, progress and opportunities for the teeming youth population and the less privileged.
