Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has alleged that 95 percent of the youths involved in the violent protests in Maiduguri on Thursday were children under the age of 14.
In a broadcast to the people of Borno, Zulum also announced the lifting of the 24-hour curfew previously imposed on the state. He remarked, “Over 95 percent of those who participated in the so-called Thursday protests were children under 14 years. Most of them do not know why they are protesting.”
He expressed astonishment at seeing a six-year-old child carrying a placard, suggesting that these children were directed by others. Zulum also noted that most of these children were not from Borno and emphasized the need for their teachers or guardians to take responsibility for them.
Zulum highlighted the issue of thousands of children living in Maiduguri under the guise of Almajiri education without proper care, calling for this situation to be addressed. He condemned the actions of hoodlums who hijacked the protests, leading to the destruction and looting of public properties, including hospitals.
“In what could have been a major disaster, attempts were made by the hoodlums on several occasions to attack the Maiduguri Emergency Power Gas Plant; however, it was averted by our gallant security forces,” Zulum stated.
He urged citizens to reject violence and warned that anyone engaging in looting and violent activities after the curfew is lifted on Saturday would face consequences. Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming the state, with interventions in infrastructure, health, and education.
“We have distributed rounds of food and non-food items palliatives within Maiduguri and other LGAs, scaled up our support to farmers through sales of fertilizer, and provided seeds and farm inputs to enhance food production. We also aim to invest in irrigation agriculture and livestock development,” Zulum concluded.
