Suspected arsonists sets lawmaker’s residence, NOUN study center on fire in Imo

On Monday night, suspected arsonists set fire to the home of former lawmaker Sen. Frank Ibezim in Ezeoke-Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

The attackers, who remain at large, also burned down parts of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Center in the area.

The attack followed a viral video claiming that the Federal Government planned to use the NOUN facility as a training ground for repentant Boko Haram insurgents.

This false report circulated after a recent inspection visit by Federal Commissioner Tijani Mohammed of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons.

During the visit, which was accompanied by Ibezim, Mohammed mentioned plans for a training program for vulnerable individuals at the NOUN center, unrelated to insurgents.

A local resident, speaking anonymously to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), believed the arson may have been triggered by the misinformation spread by the viral video.

The incident has raised concerns about the influence of false reports and their potential to incite violence.

“A lot of our people raised their voices against this Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) training project in that place, especially where there are no existence of IDPs in the state.

“The planners of that project were insensitive to the agitation in the area,” the source said.

A community leader, who also pleaded anonymity, lamented over the destruction of the NOUN buildings by the suspected arsonists.

He regretted that the NOUN facility also housed Ezeoke Girls’ Secondary School, with boarding facility.

“With the razing down of the buildings there, the community has lost the only boarding school and a NOUN facility in our area,” he further said.

Confirming the attacks, the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, described them as barbaric and condemnable.

The Spokesman of the Imo Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, quoted the commissioner in a statement issued in Owerri on Tuesday.

Okoye said that the police boss had deployed the command’s Tactical Unit to identify and apprehend those responsible for the act.

The statement partly read: “Additionally, the Commissioner has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the incident.

“This unfortunate incident reflects a disturbing trend of violence that undermines the safety and security of our communities.

“The command stands firmly against such acts and will take all necessary measures in synergy with other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

“Furthermore, Danjuma urges the public to refrain from spreading fake news or making inciting statements that could destabilise the current peace in the state.

“He warns that anyone found guilty of spreading false information will face strict consequences.” (NAN)