Maybe if we had a plan to eradicate begging in Nigeria it would serve as the first step in fight to stop the recruitment of terrorists, bandits and kidnappers

Ayo Akinfe

[1] I wonder if any state government in Nigeria actually has statistics to show how many Almajiri beggars end up as terrorists, kidnappers and bandits

[2] According to a global survey published by Habitat for Humanity in 2015, Nigeria has 24.4m beggars. Also, according to this survey, 16.5% of Nigeria’s population is homeless. As we all know, Nigeria’s beggars are by and large made up of mentally ill and disabled citizens

[3] However, of late, we have seen a wave of street urchins produced across northern Nigeria. These child beggars, who have no education or vocational training are canon fodder for terrorist groups

[4] If you are taking 24m people off the streets, you simply have to find alternative employment for them. You also have to come up with a mental health care plan for those in need of it

[5] For me, this is where the Northern State Governors Forum has to come in. It needs to establish a new pan-Nigerian, multi-religious and all-embracing Nigerian Livestock Producers Association

[6] Then, nomadism has to be outlawed across Nigeria. Anyone whose livestock are found to be roaming outside official ranches faces the prospect of three years in prison

[7] Also, any Fulani person convicted of kidnapping, communal violence or bearing arms will be ostracised. For starters they will be banned from attending any durbar in northern Nigeria, will not be eligible to participate in the hajj pilgrimage for life and will be barred with setting foot in any mosque across Nigeria

[8] Everyone of the 19 northern states will open a disarmament centre where herdsmen can hand in their weapons. Anyone who does this before October 1 2022 will not be prosecuted

[9] We should then establish a Livestock Bank of Nigeria which will offer single digit loans to anyone interested in obtaining capital to expand their animal husbandry business

[10] A Northern State Governors Forum amnesty programme will be launched immediately. It will involve the establishment of at least one technical training college in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. Hoodlums, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and herdsmen who participate in the programme will be trained up to City & Guilds level. Everyone who participates will have at least one vocational skill