Parents Of Almajiri Children Should Serve Jail Terms — Middlebelt Leader, Pogu

In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Middlebelt leader, Pogu has called for urgent reforms to combat the growing population of Almajiri children in northern Nigeria.

He advocates for a law mandating compulsory education for all children, suggesting that parents who refuse to send their children to school should face jail time.

Pogu emphasized the need for a strong legislative framework to eradicate the Almajiri system where children beg under the guise of religious instruction. He pointed out the hypocrisy of leaders promoting this system while benefiting from formal education.

Despite previous efforts, such as the establishment of Almajiri schools by former President Goodluck Jonathan, many of these institutions remain abandoned. With an estimated 30 million children out of school in the North, Pogu described the situation as alarming.

He warned that without proper education, these children often resort to menial jobs, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation & recruitment by insurgent groups.