Halt Almajiri repatriation

Recent weeks witnessed the repatriation by some state governments of Almajiri pupils to their respective home-states. Most of them were stopped mid-way while crossing inter-state borders and returned back to their places of domicile. States that intercepted the repatriation of the Almajiri pupils said it was for fear of Almajiri importing and spreading COVID-19 in to their states. While the Almajiri pupils were returned to their bases, others were taken to isolation centres in the states they were stopped. The most recent of such interceptions happened in Cross River where the state government ordered five truckloads of Almajiri pupils including other passengers from the northern part of the country back to their destination after they were intercepted at state boundary.

A border patrol team, comprising Peace Corps members, civilian vigilantes, Border COVID-19 Taskforce, youth groups intercepted the trucks on Wednesday night May 6, 2020 at the Garkem border town in Bekwara LGA of the state near Benue State. The team which was led by the state commissioner for youths, Signor Omang Idiege forced the truck-loads of the Almajiri pupils to return when it was discovered that they did not meet the COVID-19 protocols.

The fears of many state governments were confirmed when, for instance, Kaduna State government stopped a truck laden with children and young adults who were identified to be Almajiri children from Minna in Niger State on their way to Zaria. The Almajiri children were moved to the Mando camp where Kaduna state government had placed other boys on isolation. By the time the results of the samples taken were released, 62 Almajiri children were among the 72 active cases in Kaduna State. Taraba state had also rejected Almajiri pupils transported from Nasarawa State.

Reacting to the matter, the Northern Traditional Leaders Council has urged the Federal Government to stop the repatriation of Almajiri from one state to another. The Council warned that the repatriation would escalate the spread of the COVID-19, especially in the northern region. The chairman of the council, Alhaji Samila Mohammed, made the call at a recent online emergency meeting between the Federal Government and the Council on PHC in Abuja. As further explained by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the repatriation of the Almajiri pupils from one state to another was against the presidential order banning inter-state travels.

The bundling of Almajjiri and throwing them around from one state to another is very irresponsible of state governments because it subjects the victims to double tragedy. One, they were once abandoned by irresponsible parents, and two, government is also abdicating its social responsibility. Almajiri children did not bring COVID-19 to Nigeria but could spread it easily and quickly because they are at higher risk of contracting COVIV-19. Almajiri children are for most part homeless, underfed and un-catered for in health and wellbeing.

Several stakeholders have, in the past, suggested a reform of the Almajiri school system; opposing the itinerary nature of pupils and their Malams.  If, therefore, sending Almajiri pupils back to their home states or towns is now seen to be the solution to ending the crisis bedevilling the Qur’anic system of education in Nigeria, this is not the time for state governments to do so. The responsible thing to do is to gather these vulnerable children and cater for them for the period. When the pandemic is over, state governments should genuinely use the opportunity to end the Almajiri crisis, once and for all.