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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), has explained that there was no plan by the government to relocate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Imo State.
It condemned the destruction of a property located at the National Open University (NOUN) centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area as a result of what it called fake news by suspected thugs.
NCFRMI Commissioner, Aliyu Tijani, told journalists in Abuja that the visit was to inspect the facility for the establishment of a skills acquisition centre aimed at training persons of concern and youth from the five Southeastern states.
Tijani added that the inspection was to explore and ascertain whether the centre could be utilised to train returnee migrants, refugees and displaced persons, such as victims of floods and communal clashes, as well as the youth and people of Imo State and the broader South East region.
He reiterated that displaced persons were found throughout Nigeria, including those affected by floods and other crises in places like Orlu, Njaba and Orsu areas of Imo State.
He said: “Our visit to Imo State was to inspect a property located at the premises of the National Open University Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, for the establishment of a skills acquisition centre aimed at training persons of concern and youth from the five Southeastern states.
“Our goal was to explore and ascertain whether the centre could be utilised to train returnee migrants, refugees and displaced persons, such as victims of floods and communal clashes, as well as the youth and people of Imo State and the broader Southeast region.
“Displaced persons are found throughout Nigeria, including those affected by floods and other crises in places like Orlu, Njaba and Orsu areas of Imo State. Our primary aim was to train, certify and empower the vulnerable populations of Imo State and the Southeast with vital skills for self-reliance, with the potential to establish the centre as the regional headquarters for the initiative.
“It is important to note that similar skills acquisition centres are being proposed to be established in all the six geopolitical zones of the country to serve the populations in each respective zone, in line with the Commission’s “Skills to Wealth” initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
“Let me reiterate that the primary goal of NCFRMI is to protect, assist and maintain the welfare of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
“We work tirelessly to ensure that persons of concern; those displaced by conflicts, other crises are given the support they need to rebuild their lives, reintegrate into society, and contribute to the economic and social fabric of our country.”
According to him, over six million people are displaced in Nigeria “a significant number reside in the Southeast, where entire communities have been displaced due to ecological challenges such as erosion, landslides and other forms of environmental degradation.
“In 2024 alone, the Commission facilitated the return of 4,550 stranded migrants, with no fewer than 30 percent of them originating from the Southeast.
“Additionally, the region hosts approximately 500 non-Nigerian nationals currently seeking asylum as refugees in Nigeria.
“This group belongs to the subset of the population referred to as persons of concern to the Commission.
“Unfortunately, after the press briefing, some unscrupulous individuals spread false information regarding the purpose of the visit and the intended use of the facility.
“These individuals misunderstood the Commission’s objectives, leading to tension that culminated in the burning of several homes, including that of Senator Frank Ibezim, who facilitated the visit and accompanied my team and I during the visit.
“We want to categorically state that the NCFRMI’s intervention in Imo State and the entire Southeast has no political motives and it does not in any way intend to bring IDPs from the northern part of Nigeria to reside in the Southeast.
“The Commission equally wants to state that no money was given to any person or persons for the purpose of utilising the facility as it belongs to the government.
“The proposed establishment of the skills acquisition centre is purely a humanitarian initiative designed to serve as a critical resource and provide training in areas such as vocational skills, entrepreneurship and capacity building.”
