The Borno State Government has called for caution in the manner some state governments are evacuating almajiris from their states.
The state government said that the present approach of repatriation was not in the interest of unity among the 19 Northern states.
It instead declared that it would use ‘human face’ approach and apply empathy and sympathy in handling the almajiri issue.
Speaking at a media briefing in Maiduguri on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Babakura Jato, stressed that the actions of the Borno State government would be guided by what he described as “caution and human face approach.”
He explained that the almajiris needed empathy and sympathy, as according to him, they are victims of a situation they did not create.
“They are victims of a situation they did not create. Most of the affected children left their parents at tender ages and were taken to local Islamic clerics for Qur’anic recitations. They cannot at this point in time locate their states of origin, not to talk of homes,” he noted
He called for a collective approach to make life more meaningful to the almajiris.
“The Nigerian Constitution made it clear that citizens are free to reside anywhere in the country without molestation,” Jato said.
It would be recalled that the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Wednesday, disclosed that he has directed the COVID-19 Task Force to profile all the Tsangaya schools in the state with a view to creating a database for Almajiris.
“I will encourage a dialogue among my colleague Governors to create modern educational opportunities that are sustainable for the Almajiris in the north.
“We take all measures to protect their human rights and dignity while we take steps to re-position them well in society,” the Governor had said.
