Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has revealed that a majority of the participants in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest in his state were almajiris—young, street children—who had little understanding of the protest’s purpose.
Gov. Sule said this in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, August 8. He expressed concern over the trajectory of protests in the northern region, noting that the recent unrest in Lafia was marked by looting, vandalism, and the waving of Russian flags.
He further highlighted the need for introspection and action by Northern leaders, particularly regarding education and population control. He described the situation as a “ticking time bomb” that could have dire consequences if not addressed.
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“During this last protest in Lafia, the majority of those on the streets were almajiris, some as young as 5, 7, or 9 years old.
Many didn’t even understand the meaning of the protest. When I spoke with them later, they didn’t know what they were protesting against,” Sule explained.
He recalled previous efforts by Northern governors in 2020 to address the issue of almajiris, which were met with resistance from some religious leaders and ultimately failed. However, in light of recent events, Sule urged for renewed and decisive action.
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“But from what happened now, I don’t believe anybody will continue to criticize actions that will be taken in order to move forward. Otherwise, it’s a ticking time bomb. It will come and consume every one of us,” the governor warned.
Governor Sule’s comments come amid growing concerns over the role of vulnerable groups in protests and the broader implications for stability in the state.