Almajiri or economic migrants?
Though there have been denials on the development, Southeast leaders are not sleeping over the matter. From Anambra to Abia, Ebonyi to Enugu and Imo – the five states in the zone, the language has been the same: “It will not work!”As a result, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo and other pan-Igbo groups have vowed not to fold their arms and allow such situation give their people any form of headache.
When The Nation sought to know why the young boys are relocating to Southeast, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the Southeast, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, denied the presence or influx of any such strangers in the zone. The Nation’s investigations in Enugu State revealed that many people, including residents of Northern Nigeria origin, believe there is no such influx into the state.
“You cannot categorise those blind beggars or dan gwurugu as Almajiri. Those are professional beggars, whom you can always find elsewhere,” he remarked. He also dismissed the notion that these migrating youths are members of the Boko Haram sect running away from the Northeast to wreak havoc in the southern states.Abia State is no doubt one of the destination points for visitors to the Southeast, especially those visiting for business and economic purposes.
The Nation gathered that upon arresting some of these migrating youths, the authorities promptly sent them back to their states. Osuji further stated that intelligence has it that the youths even after asking them to go back to their various states, still use the bush paths to gain entry into the state – a situation he said has become worrisome.In Ebonyi State, the ban on interstate travel appears to be working, as there seems to be no evidence or report of Almajiri infiltrating the state.
Umahi, while speaking on reports of Almajiri being smuggled into the Southeast, also acknowledged the northern governors for their cooperation and understanding on the issue. Isiguzoro, who is a factional President of Ohanézè Ndígbo Youth Council Worldwide , said the Almajiri are an attempt by Boko -Haram to clandestinely and gradually plant their members in various parts of the Southeast.
The youth leader accused Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of being behind the influx of Almajiri into the region. Speaking with The Nation, President General of the Coalition of South East Leaders , Goodluck Ibem, said these young persons violated the federal and state governments lockdown order and ban on interstate movements.
“The truck drivers load and dump them in the region without any regard. We call on Northern governors to revisit their joint resolution at their regional forum, where they resolved that each governor took its own state’s Almajiri back.”
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