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IOM, Yobe Govt Push for Education that Will Enable Almajiris Fulfill Full Potential
IOM, Yobe Govt Push for Education that Will Enable Almajiris Fulfill Full Potential
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Yobe State Government and Almajiri Child Rights Initiative (ACRI) have pushed for official and regularized education of Almajiris to enable them fit into modern needs of a society and subsequently achieve their full potential.
This was the crux of discussion at a roundtable meeting: “achieving durable solutions and sustainable impact for protecting vulnerable street and migrant children in Nigeria.”
The event organised by organised by IOM, Yobe government and ACRI which commenced on Monday and run through Wednesday, also featured workshop session on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Trafficking in Persons (TiP) to commemorate the International Day for the Almajiri child.
The IOM Chief of Mission Laurent De Boeck said the organisation will uphold the principles of on-discrimination, best interest of the child, right to life and safeguarding their dignity.
He explained the roundtable will foster dialogue among key stakeholders and promote response to child trafficking, and strengthen partnerships on ways to ensure child protection.
He noted that this will ensure every Almajiris realize their full potential and lead a life of dignity and opportunity. He said: “I will like to celebrate with you the International Day of the Child.
“I believe that all of us are children to someone and also as parent the concern gives us the value of childhood and the right that every child in the world should have access to.
“It is the reason I am happy to be with to celebrate and engage in ensuring the children in the world, particularly in Nigeria have the rights they truly deserve.
“It is particularly interesting to discuss what can be gained in the protection of vulnerable children in the streets in Nigeria.
“Therefore, one of the national efforts to bring together all the partners from different sectors to the board.”
On his part, Yobe State Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Ethical Orientation, Alhaji Yusuf Umar, commended organisation of the event, stating that it was apt and would proffers solution to issues that border on Almajiris.
He described Almajiri as a long standing Islamic education system that unfortunately faced numerous challenges in the country lately.
He noted that these challenges include inability to access formal education, healthcare and social services, which has left most children particularly Almajiris marginalised.
Umar said, “This event will not have come at a better time intended to facilitate response to child trafficking, promote dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, to tackle challenges faced by this category of children.
“Yobe under the purposeful leadership of Gov. Mai Mala Buni, accords priority to the welfare of Almajiri among other children, particularly bearing in mind they are mostly affected in states ravaged Boko Haram.”
The ACRI Board Chair, Fati Murtala-Ibrahim disclosed that the event marked the fourth edition since the establishment of the initiative.
She said: “This roundtable serves as a vital advocacy structure by ACRI to continuously bring issues about Almajiris to the forefront of discussion.
“In past years, our national advocacy campaign has successfully increased, in terms of public concern and engagement.”
Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, emphasised the need for review of Almajiri education system to ensure protection of children without exploitation.
Waziri-Azi, who was represented by Director Research and Programme Development, NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, said: “The protection of children in the Almajiri system and the fight against trafficking are not just legal obligations, but moral imperatives.
“As we commence this roundtable and subsequent training, let us reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the rights and future of all children.
“Through collaborative efforts, strengthened legislation and relentless advocacy, we can create a safer, more just society where every child is free from exploitation and able to realize their full potential.
IOM, Yobe Govt Push for Education that Will Enable Almajiris Fulfill Full Potential
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Troops rescue 12 kidnap victims after clearance operation in mandara mountains
Troops rescue 12 kidnap victims after clearance operation in mandara mountains
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 12 kidnap victims seven women and five children abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists along the Gwoza–Limankara road in Borno State.
Zagazola reports that the victims, who were seized on Nov. 14 while travelling along the route, were freed on Sunday following a coordinated clearance operation in the Mandara Mountains under Operation Desert Sanity IV/Diligent Search.

Sources said that the rescue was conducted by troops under 26 Task Force Brigade, working jointly with hybrid forces, hunters and vigilantes.
The sources said troops launched a limited offensive in the early hours of Sunday, advancing along the Mandara Mountain foothills up to Uvaha, where they engaged the terrorists with “a high volume of fire”, forcing them to abandon the captives and flee.
“The victims, who had scattered into nearby bushes for safety during the firing, later emerged and moved towards the road, where troops rescued them at about 08:45 a.m.,” the sources added.

The rescued women were identified as Fadi Musa, Jummai Manga, Hamsatu Musa, Jummai Ali, Inna Amadu, Falmata Musa and Hadiza Hamman, alongside five children.
The victims, who trekked long distances after being abandoned, were taken to the brigade field ambulance for treatment of blisters and other injuries, with some reporting they had been severely beaten by the terrorists during captivity.

They were later provided meals and handed over to the representative of the Chairman, Gwoza Local Government Area, for reunification with their families.
Troops rescue 12 kidnap victims after clearance operation in mandara mountains
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Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa
Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Nasarawa State have rescued 39 victims of alleged human trafficking, including 32 males and seven females, all from Mali except one female from Ivory Coast, during an operation in the Orange Market area of Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the rescue followed a report lodged at about 10:40 a.m. by one Habi Baraji, a Malian national who speaks only French and Arabic.
Baraji reported that he was lured from Mali to Nigeria about a week ago by another Malian, identified as Abdullahi Berter, who promised him a job opportunity in France.
According to him, upon arrival at the Orange Market in Mararaba, he realised he had been deceived, as Berter allegedly began pressuring him to bring more persons from Mali into Nigeria for an undisclosed purpose.
Baraji further told security personnel that he suspected Berter was holding “many other victims” captive in a house in the area.
Based on the intelligence, a team of detectives, swiftly mobilised to the location, where they discovered 39 foreigners confined inside a bungalow, all unable to speak any local Nigerian language. The victims were immediately evacuated to safety.
Sources that the rescued victims are currently in protective custody pending further profiling and communication with the Malian and Ivorian consular authorities.
Police rescue 39 foreign nationals of alleged human trafficking in Mararraba, Nassarawa
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Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue
Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police have arrested a serving officer, Insp. Ogbu Clement, and his elder brother, Isawa Ogbu, for allegedly leading over 50 youths to seize a corpse and attack residents of two communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Dr. Pius Onwe Odengle, a staff of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, reported the incident to the Otukpo Division, stating that on Nov. 28, at about 11:00 a.m., he was conveying the body of his late mother, Mama Lucy Inogwanya, from Makurdi to Ogyoma Village for burial.
He alleged that on reaching the Ogyoma Village junction, Insp. Ogbu Clement, attached to Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, accompanied by more than 50 youths from Adim Village, blocked the highway, damaged a Benue State Civil Protection Guard vehicle, seized the corpse, and went on to bury it in Adim Village, claiming the deceased was his aunty.
According to the sources , at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, the inspector and his brother again mobilised youths from Adim Village to Ogyoma, where they allegedly attacked villagers, destroyed over 500 plastic chairs, smashed windows and doors, and inflicted varying degrees of injuries on several residents.
Police authorities said the Divisional Police Officer, Otukpo, mobilised patrol teams alongside troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, NSCDC Agro-Rangers, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard to the scene.
Photographs were taken, and the injured victims were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The police confirmed that Insp. Ogbu Clement and his brother have been arrested, while further investigations are ongoing.
Police arrest own inspector, brother over alleged attack and forceful seizure of corpse in Benue
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