After the violence that marred the nationwide hunger protest in Borno, the state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has said that while his administration is not discouraging the almajiri education, a situation where thousands of children are living in the state without care from anyone in the name of almajiri must be looked into.
LEADERSHIP reports that the state’s police commissioner (CP), Yusuf Lawal, while speaking on the 24-hour curfew declared on Thursday, the 1st of August, following the violence that erupted during the hunger protest, said that many minors, mostly almajiris, between the ages of 9-15, took over the Maiduguri-Kano Road vandalising public property.
He explained that despite police persuasion, the crowd turned riotous, forcefully breaking police barriers, pelting stones at officers, and advancing towards the city centre.
Thus, speaking further during a statewide broadcast at the weekend, Governor Zulum, who lifted the curfew imposed on the state following the return of normalcy, corroborated the police commissioner and said that 95% of those who participated in the protest were children aged 14 who don’t even know why they are protesting.
” A 6-year-old child carrying a placard is exceptional; someone must have directed him. Most of those children are not from Borno state. While we are not discouraging almajiri education, children must have their teachers, parents or guardians looking after them.
” A situation where thousands of children living in Maiduguri without care from anyone in the name of almajiri must be looked into. I wish to equally express my sympathy to all the innocent people who were affected by the violent protest, vandalism and looting of properties,” the Governor said.
He decried the loss of innocent lives in the recent bomb attacks in the Kauri town of Konduga and Gwoza town in Gwoza local government areas of the state. He commiserated with the families of the victims of the attacks, which claimed 48 lives with over 100 persons that were injured.
He said,” I was at the state specialist hospital to sympathise with those injured and receiving medical care. In this challenging time, we stand united in grief and solidarity as we condemn the senseless attacks that once struck our beloved state.
“Amid these challenges, some miscreants, in the guise of participating in the nationwide protest, perpetrated criminal activities, including the destruction of public property. It was miserable that the hospital was vandalised and equipment, including beds, office furniture, drugs, consumables and solar-powered facilities, were looted.
“In what could have been a major disaster, an attempt was made by the hoodlums to attack the Maiduguri Emergency Gas Plant, but our gallant security forces averted it.
“To those who seek to exploit the current situation and engage in criminal activities under the guise of protest, I urge you to reconsider your action. Theft and vandalism only harm our community. Let us channel our grievances through peaceful and lawful means, respecting the rights and property of others.
” I urge all citizens to reject any call to arms or act of aggression. The protection of citizens’ lives and property is the responsibility of the government. Therefore, as we lift the curfew, any person who engages in looting or violent activities will be dealt with accordingly. ”
