From Alms to Arms: The Almajiri Phenomenon and Internal Security in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

State and multinational efforts aimed at containing jihadist terrorismin northern Nigeria have only yielded modest results despite the repressivenature of these efforts. The ranks of the foot soldiers of Boko Haram and Ansarufundamentalist Islamic sects continue to swell even in the face of the ferociousonslaught on their membership by state troops. In contrast to mainstream analysesthat highlight the salience of radical Islamism in coming to terms with insurgentproliferation, this article demonstrates that jihadist insurgency in northern Nigeriais better understood as a consequence of youth bulge syndrome, particularly thelow-cost availability of foot soldiers from the almajiri demographic cohort. Abandoned by parents and the state, the itinerant Quranic pupils resort to street, begging for alms and survival. And "street life" exposes the urchins to abuse, criminalization and subsequent mobilization for violent causes including terrorism. It is argued that until the practices of rampant child abuse and state neglect of thealmajirai and other vulnerable groups are addressed through better education, employment opportunities and poverty reduction, northern Nigeria is likely toremain a breeding ground of violent conflicts.

Hepatitis B virus infection among illegal drug users in Enugu State, Nigeria: prevalence, immune status, and related risk factors

“…Given that the Southeastern region of Nigeria has the lowest reported prevalence of HBV among the six geopolitical zones in the country, this may be related to the geopolitical zone where the study was carried out. This could be further explained by increasing vaccination rates, better educational systems, and more use of learning opportunities in the region [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Rethinking Insecurity and Scoping Security Threat in Nigeria: Looking Ahead

“…Aghedo and Eke contend that the spread and growth of Boko Haram are understood better as a result of the increase in the number of youths particularly the readily available foot soldiers drawn from the Almajirai. 68 These roving pupils of the Quran also constitute school dropouts which poses a big national security threat. The phenomenon of Almajiri highlights the devastating and debased crisis of African youth; reflecting mainly the systemic dysfunctional structures.…”

“…The phenomenon of Almajiri highlights the devastating and debased crisis of African youth; reflecting mainly the systemic dysfunctional structures. 69 According to Taiwo, over 10 million Almajiris were roaming the roads of the northern area of Nigeria. 70 In the above informal education, all these youngsters would have a bleak future.…”

“…Yet the government of Nigeria and people from the north have tolerated this condition, perhaps because of what they benefit. 71 The Almajiri has created a fertile ground for recruiting masses of Muslim youths into several rebellious activities; some are spun into hawkers, wanderers and beggars. 72 For some years, Boko Haram has used this as a tool for sourcing recruits.…”

Effects of Open Space Characteristics on the Spatial Distribution of Street Children: Experience from Ibadan, Nigeria

“…The upsurge in the number of street children has been attributed to various factors. These include mistreatment at home, poverty, being orphan, need for income in the family, inability to continue school, family breakdown, wilful deviance in a few children, housing challenges, drug use by children and peer influences (Aghedo and Eke, 2013; Aransiola and Zarowsky, 2014; Areo et al, 2016; Owolabi, 2012). In addition, UNICEF (2001) identifies the widespread urbanisation which comes with an inflated cost of living outside the realm of affordability for poor households, forcing children to the streets as a contributory factor.…”