Hoodlums raze ex-senator’s residence, varsity study centre in Imo

Hoodlums raze ex-senator’s residence, varsity study centre in Imo

In a shocking incident, the residence of former Senator Frank Ibezim in Imo State was set on fire by hoodlums on Monday night.

The attack occurred in Nsu, a community in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, at approximately 9 p.m.

Ibezim, who represented Imo North District under the All Progressives Congress (APC) from 2021 to 2023, was not at home during the attack.

A video circulating on social media shows the senator’s house engulfed in flames, with local residents expressing dismay at the destruction.

In addition to burning Ibezim’s residence, the hoodlums also targeted the National Open University study centre in Nsu, setting the building on fire.

Residents believe the same assailants were responsible for both incidents. Another video clip shows the university complex in flames, further intensifying concerns over the growing violence in the area.

The Imo State Police have confirmed the attacks, with Police Commissioner Aboki Danjuma condemning the acts of arson. The police spokesperson,

Henry Okoye, issued a statement on Tuesday, promising that investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for the coordinated assaults.

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Mr Danjuma described the attacks as “senseless and unwarranted.”

“This unfortunate incident reflects a disturbing trend of violence that undermines the safety and security of our communities.
“The police 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,” he said.

The commissioner said he had ordered the deployment of a tactical unit of the police to track down the hoodlums.

He ordered the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the attacks.

The latest attacks occurred days after Mr Ibezim was accused of facilitating the establishment of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp within the National Open University campus in the Nsu Community for people from northern Nigeria.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other pro-Biafra groups criticised the alleged plan and vowed to resist it.

IPOB, in a statement earlier on Monday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, claimed the Nigerian government was trying to “infiltrate” the South-east.

IPOB, a group leading the agitation for secession of South-east and some parts of south-south from Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions.

But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

Meanwhile, Mr Ibezim has since denied the allegation.

In a statement issued later on Monday, the former senator said the claim that he brought the federal government into the community to settle IDPs and refugees from Northern Nigeria was “entirely false.”

He explained that the university had existed since October 2023 and that he only led a delegation of the federal government to assess whether the facilities could be used for skills acquisition.

“For emphasis, I must restate that there are no plans to settle IDPs, Refugees or Migrant persons at the National Open University Centre, Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA. Any such claim is categorically false,” he stated.

“I will never be part of such a plan. The plan is for skills training for our vulnerable young people from the South-east.”

Hoodlums raze ex-senator’s residence, varsity study centre in Imo