Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), addressed growing concerns regarding the potential relocation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from northern Nigeria to the South East.
Ahmed categorically stated, "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 South East."
This clarification comes in response to tensions in Imo State following an NCFRMI visit to the National Open University Centre in Nsu Ehime Mbano Local Government Area.
The visit was part of efforts to establish a skills acquisition center aimed at providing vocational training and capacity building for displaced persons, returnee migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups within the region.
Ahmed emphasized that the initiative is purely humanitarian, designed to serve as a critical resource for those affected by displacement, irrespective of their political affiliation, ethnicity, or religious inclination.
The federal commissioner also highlighted the significant number of displaced individuals already residing in the South East due to ecological challenges such as erosion and landslides.
He noted that in 2024 alone, the commission facilitated the return of 4,550 stranded migrants, with approximately 30 percent originating from the South East.
Additionally, the region hosts around 500 non-Nigerian nationals seeking asylum as refugees.
Ahmed's statement aims to reassure the public and address any misrepresentations that may have led to unrest and property destruction in the area.
By emphasizing the non-political nature of the NCFRMI's initiatives, the government seeks to foster understanding and cooperation in addressing the broader challenges faced by displaced populations across Nigeria.
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