After the violence that marred the nationwide starvation protest in Borno, the state Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has stated that whereas his administration shouldn’t be discouraging the almajiri training, a state of affairs the place 1000’s of youngsters live within the state with out care from anybody within the identify of almajiri should be regarded into.
LEADERSHIP experiences that the state’s police commissioner (CP), Yusuf Lawal, whereas talking on the 24-hour curfew declared on Thursday, the first of August, following the violence that erupted throughout the starvation protest, stated that many minors, largely almajiris, between the ages of 9-15, took over the Maiduguri-Kano Highway vandalising public property.
He defined that regardless of police persuasion, the group turned riotous, forcefully breaking police limitations, pelting stones at officers, and advancing in direction of town centre.
Thus, talking additional throughout a statewide broadcast on the weekend, Governor Zulum, who lifted the curfew imposed on the state following the return of normalcy, corroborated the police commissioner and stated that 95% of those that participated within the protest had been youngsters aged 14 who don’t even know why they’re protesting.
” A 6-year-old youngster carrying a placard is outstanding; somebody will need to have directed him. Most of these youngsters should not from Borno state. Whereas we’re not discouraging almajiri training, youngsters will need to have their academics, dad and mom or guardians taking care of them.
” A state of affairs the place 1000’s of youngsters residing in Maiduguri with out care from anybody within the identify of almajiri should be regarded into. I want to equally categorical my sympathy to all of the harmless individuals who had been affected by the violent protest, vandalism and looting of properties,” the Governor stated.
He decried the lack of harmless lives within the current bomb assaults within the Kauri city of Konduga and Gwoza city in Gwoza native authorities areas of the state. He commiserated with the households of the victims of the assaults, which claimed 48 lives with over 100 individuals that had been injured.
He stated,” I used to be on the state specialist hospital to sympathise with these injured and receiving medical care. On this difficult time, we stand united in grief and solidarity as we condemn the mindless assaults that when struck our beloved state.
“Amid these challenges, some miscreants, within the guise of taking part within the nationwide protest, perpetrated felony actions, together with the destruction of public property. It was depressing that the hospital was vandalised and tools, together with beds, workplace furnishings, medicine, consumables and solar-powered amenities, had been looted.
“In what might have been a significant catastrophe, an try was made by the hoodlums to assault the Maiduguri Emergency Gasoline Plant, however our gallant safety forces averted it.
“To those that search to take advantage of the present state of affairs and have interaction in felony actions underneath the guise of protest, I urge you to rethink your motion. Theft and vandalism solely hurt our neighborhood. Allow us to channel our grievances via peaceable and lawful means, respecting the rights and property of others.
” I urge all residents to reject any name to arms or act of aggression. The safety of residents’ lives and property is the accountability of the federal government. Due to this fact, as we raise the curfew, any one that engages in looting or violent actions shall be handled accordingly. ”
