Federal Government Clarifies Plans for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria

 

The Nigerian federal government has confirmed that there are no intentions to relocate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the northern regions of the country to the South East. This clarification was made by Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), during a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, October 9.

The announcement comes amid rising tensions in Imo State following a visit by the NCFRMI team to the National Open University Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area. The visit was aimed at establishing a skills acquisition centre to train individuals and youth from the five southeastern states. In response, angry youths vandalized several homes, including the residence of Senator Frank Ibezim, who facilitated the NCFRMI's visit.

Addressing the unrest, Ahmed stated, "We want to categorically state that the NCFRMI’s intervention in Imo State and the entire South East has no political motives and does not intend to bring IDPs from the northern part of Nigeria to reside in the South East." He emphasized that no funds were given to any individuals for utilizing the facility, which is owned by the government.

The proposed skills acquisition centre is intended as a humanitarian initiative focused on providing vocational training, entrepreneurship skills, and capacity building. These programs are designed to assist displaced persons, returnee migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, or religious background.

Ahmed expressed regret over the media's misrepresentation of information that led to unrest and property damage by certain individuals. He highlighted that out of more than six million people facing displacement in Nigeria, many are located in the South East, where entire communities have been displaced due to ecological issues like erosion, landslides, and environmental degradation.

He also noted that in 2024, the commission facilitated the return of 4,550 stranded migrants, with approximately 30% of them coming from the South East. Additionally, around 500 non-Nigerian nationals are currently seeking asylum as refugees in Nigeria, falling under the commission's category of "persons of concern."