From Alms to Arms: The Almajiri Phenomenon and Internal Security in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

State and multinational efforts aimed at containing jihadist terrorismin northern Nigeria have only yielded modest results despite the repressivenature of these efforts. The ranks of the foot soldiers of Boko Haram and Ansarufundamentalist Islamic sects continue to swell even in the face of the ferociousonslaught on their membership by state troops. In contrast to mainstream analysesthat highlight the salience of radical Islamism in coming to terms with insurgentproliferation, this article demonstrates that jihadist insurgency in northern Nigeriais better understood as a consequence of youth bulge syndrome, particularly thelow-cost availability of foot soldiers from the almajiri demographic cohort. Abandoned by parents and the state, the itinerant Quranic pupils resort to street, begging for alms and survival. And "street life" exposes the urchins to abuse, criminalization and subsequent mobilization for violent causes including terrorism. It is argued that until the practices of rampant child abuse and state neglect of thealmajirai and other vulnerable groups are addressed through better education, employment opportunities and poverty reduction, northern Nigeria is likely toremain a breeding ground of violent conflicts.