Terrorism: Mark seeks Almajiri system’s ban

Senate President, David Mark, on Wednesday urged Northern governors to ban the Almajiri system in the area to curb terrorism.

Mark, who insisted that since the practice is not an Islamic injunction, said politicians encouraging it are doing so for political gains.

He noted that the system is counter-productive and called on governors from the north to follow the example already laid by the governor of Kano State who has reportedly banned the system.

He said people now do bizarre things in the name of unemployment.

Mark spoke following the debate on a Bill entitled: “A Bill for an Act to Repeal and Re-Enact the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act 2003″ in Abuja.

Mark said: “If you cannot get employment you will go and join a terrorist group so that you can be employed. You join Boko Haram so that you can be employed.

“If you are poor then you begin to trade and traffic in human beings so that you can be rich. These are just never excuses.

“What of the people who are also buying these people outside? Is it because they cannot find employment or because they are poor?”

He added: “We must agree that politicians in the north have failed over the years to stem the Almajiri system.

“In fact, if anything else, it would appear that they have encouraged it for political reasons or they have been scared of making a comment on it and I think it is a unique opportunity for governors in the northern region to ban the Almajiri system today because they need to and it is a system that is counter –productive to the growth and development of the country.”