The residence of Frank Ibezim, a former federal lawmaker from Imo State, Nigeria’s South-East, has been attacked by some hoodlums.
Reports revealed that the incident occurred on the night of Monday in Nsu, a locality within the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.
OsunDailyNG reports that Ibezim served as the Imo North District’s representative on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform from 2021 to 2023.
It was, however, gathered that the residence of the former lawmaker was engulfed in flames around 9 p.m. yesterday, with sources indicating that the senator was not present at the time the incident happened.
According to Premium Times, a video recording depicting the devastation incident was shared online.
In the recording, some of the residents have audible expressions of sorrow regarding the damage inflicted by the fire.
Furthermore, the same group of criminals reportedly targeted a study center of the National Open University in the Nsu Community the night following the attack.
Residents have confirmed that the same group of individuals orchestrated these two separate incidents. Another video recording has surfaced showing the university complex engulfed in flames.
Police React
OsunDailyNG understands that the Imo State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aboki Danjuma, has condemned the attacks.
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 of Police has since mandated the deployment of a tactical unit of the police force to apprehend the individuals involved in criminal activities.
Furthermore, he has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who oversees the State Criminal Investigation Department, to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent criminal incidents.
OsunDailyNG understands that these recent criminal activities took place in the aftermath of accusations against Ibezim for his role in the establishment of an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp on the premises of the National Open University in the Nsu Community, which is home to individuals displaced from northern Nigeria.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other groups in support of Biafra have criticized this alleged initiative, expressing their determination to oppose it.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB accused the Nigerian government of attempting to “infiltrate” the South-east region.
IPOB, which is at the forefront of the movement for the secession of the South-east and certain areas of the South-south from Nigeria, has consistently denied any involvement in the criminal activities in these regions.
However, Ibezim has since refuted these allegations.
In a statement issued later that same day, the former senator dismissed the claim that he had brought the federal government into the community to settle IDPs and refugees from Northern Nigeria.
He clarified that the university had been operational since October 2023 and that his delegation was only there to evaluate the potential use of the facilities 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.”
