Almajirai and Boko Haram beyond the Victim-Perpetrator Binary

Widespread begging within almajiranci, combined with lower prospects for alms-giving due to a constrained local economy, leads to almajirai being out on the streets for longer. This, in turn, leaves them vulnerable and prone to exploitation by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram.

Written by Akali Omeni

Jun 22, 2020

Children sit on the floor during lessons at Janbulo Islamiyya Primary School, Roni, Jigawa State, Nigeria. GPE/KELLEY LYNCH

Almajiranci, a social caste of boys in northern Nigeria, is a tradition of parents sending their sons to big cities to learn the Qur’an under the care of an established malam (teacher). Over time, the system has been neglected. Instead of spending most of the day learning, almajirai (members of the caste) have become urchins and street beggars. Many have become delinquent and vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups such as Boko Haram. But should such almajirai who, faced with hopelessness, joined Boko Haram be viewed as perpetrators or victims?

Many feel the system is the problem; that in failing to keep basic standards of child welfare, almajiranci leaves the students vulnerable. Others are more sympathetic, referring to almajirai as victims. Some argue that the boys are not terrorists, but victims. Nevertheless, it is necessary to look beyond the victim-perpetrator binary when trying to understand the place of almajirai in conversations on Boko Haram’s insurgency.

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About the Author

Akali Omeni

is an Assistant Professor (African Politics) at the University of Leicester UK, where he leads the Africa Research Group. His research centres on military counter-insurgency (COIN) in Nigeria.

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Almajirai and Boko Haram beyond the Victim-Perpetrator Binary