The Adamawa State Government has repatriated first batch of 132 almajiral to Gombe state, and plans to repatriate over 400 more to other Northern states in the next few days.
While supervising the repatriation of the almajirai in Yola, Tuesday, the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Bashir Ahmed, said the repatriation exercise began with the 132 almajirai and would continue till they are all repatriated.
The decision to repatriates the almajirai to their states of origin, according to him, was taken at the meeting of the Northern State Governors even before the advent of Covid-19.
“The way and manner these children are accommodated and mingle amongst people in the markets and within our communities is a very high health risk.
“That is why the governors decided that this is the right time to repatriate them so that every state takes direct responsibility of its own citizens.
“All states have put measures in place to return those that are not their own and receive those that are theirs and also plan to integrate Quranic teaching into standard forms of education,” he explained.
He revealed that the Adamawa State Government has also received almajirai from Gombe, Nasarawa and Kaduna States.
“As at now, the ones in the vehicle are totaling 132 and its one-third of the total number that we have from Gombe.
“All those in the buses are indigenes of Gombe and we are taking them back. We have security to accompany them alongside a guide.
“We have spoken with Gombe State government and they are ready to receive them
“Adamawa State government is also ready to receive every single almajiri that is an indigene of the State, as it is the responsibility of the state to take care of its citizens,” he said.
