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The federal government has denied reports that it plans to relocate internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the northern part of Nigeria to the southeast.
Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), made this clear at a press conference in Abuja on October 9, following unrest in Imo State.
According to Ahmed, the establishment of a skills acquisition center in Nsu Ehime Mbano Local Government Area was misinterpreted, leading to tensions and the destruction of properties, including the home of Senator Frank Ibezim.
Ahmed emphasized, “The intervention in Imo State has no political motives and is not intended to bring northern IDPs to reside in the South East.
The center is a humanitarian initiative aimed at providing vocational skills and entrepreneurship training for displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.”
He also denied that any money was given to individuals for the project, reaffirming that the facility is government-owned.
The commissioner lamented the spread of misinformation, which sparked the violent reactions.
He noted that over six million people are displaced in Nigeria, many of whom reside in the South East due to ecological challenges like erosion.
Furthermore, Ahmed revealed that in 2024 alone, the commission has facilitated the return of 4,550 stranded migrants, with nearly 30% from the Southeast.
“This region also hosts approximately 500 non-Nigerian nationals seeking asylum, making it a critical area for our intervention,” he added.
