In a broadcast to the people of Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum made a startling revelation that 95 per cent of the youths who participated in Thursday’s violent protests in Maiduguri were children under the age of 14.
Governor Zulum’s address was delivered in the context of lifting the 24-hour curfew that had been imposed on the state to curb the unrest.
His speech aimed to shed light on the demographic composition of the protesters and to highlight the need for better care and supervision of children in the state.
“Over 95 per cent of those who participated in the so-called Thursday protests were children under 14 years,” Zulum stated emphatically.
“Most of them do not know why they are protesting. A six-year-old child carrying a placard is amazing; he must have been directed by someone. Most of those children are not from Borno.”
The governor’s assertion that many of the children were not from Borno hints at a broader issue of child migration and the prevalence of the Almajiri system.
The Almajiri system is a traditional form of Islamic education where children, known as Almajirai, are sent to study under Islamic teachers, often far from their homes.
While the system has historical and cultural significance, it has also been criticized for its lack of oversight and the poor living conditions of the children involved.
“While we are not discouraging the Almajiri education, we must, however, have their teachers or guardians looking after them,” Zulum said.
He emphasized the need for proper care and supervision for these children to prevent their exploitation and involvement in activities they do not understand.
The violent protests in Maiduguri saw the destruction and looting of public properties, including hospitals.
Governor Zulum expressed his concern over these actions, highlighting the potential dangers that could have arisen from the situation.
“In what could have been a major disaster, attempts were made by the hoodlums on several occasions to attack the Maiduguri Emergency Power Gas Plant. However, it was averted by our gallant security forces,” he revealed.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began on August 1, have been driven by widespread discontent over economic hardship and government policies.
The demonstrations have seen thousands take to the streets, demanding government action to address the high cost of living and other socio-economic issues.
Several incidents of violence, including deaths and looting, have marred the protests, exacerbating the already tense situation and leading to calls for the protests to end.
In Borno State, four persons were killed and curfews were declared in some states in the North.
The South East and South West have largely witnessed peaceful rallies.
The governor’s speech also touched on the broader implications of violence in society and the importance of maintaining peace.
“Violence has no place in our society and I implore citizens to reject any call to arms or act of aggression,” Zulum urged.
“As we lift the curfew on Saturday, any person that engages in looting and violent activities will be dealt with accordingly.”
Governor Zulum said his administration has been committed to transforming Borno State positively, with significant interventions in infrastructure, health, and education.
He reiterated this commitment and highlighted some of the recent efforts made by his government to support the people of Borno.
“We have distributed rounds of food and non-food items palliatives within Maiduguri and other LGAs,” Zulum noted.
“We have scaled up our support to farmers through sales of fertilizer and provided seeds and farm inputs to enhance food production. We want to also invest in irrigation agriculture and livestock development.”
The governor’s comments on the Almajiri system reflect a broader debate about the balance between tradition and modernization in Nigeria.
The Almajiri system, while deeply rooted in the culture of northern Nigeria, has faced increasing scrutiny for its inability to provide a comprehensive education and adequate living conditions for the children involved.
In recent years, there have been calls for reforming the system to ensure that Almajirai receives both religious and secular education, as well as proper care and supervision.
Governor Zulum’s remarks add to this discourse, emphasizing the need for accountability and better management of the system to prevent the exploitation of children.
The governor’s address also sheds light on the socio-economic challenges facing Borno State. The presence of a large number of unsupervised children in Maiduguri points to issues of poverty, displacement, and lack of access to education.
These challenges are compounded by the ongoing security concerns in the region, which have been exacerbated by the Boko Haram insurgency.
