By Tosin Olatokunbo
A new twist has emerged in the Almajiri issue as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has accused the north of a grand plot to use the child beggars to infest the south east with corona virus.
The allegation came on the crest of deportation of almajiri back to their home states by most northern governors.
No fewer than three northern states, Kaduna, Nasarrawa and Kano have sent over 1000 child beggars back to their states in the last few days, in line with the agreement by the Northern Governors Forum.
IPOB had, on Monday raised alarm that there is a grand plan by some elements in Northern Nigeria to frustrate the ongoing efforts to contain the pandemic in the region.
The Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB alleged that those behind the plot are currently pursuing its actualisation under the guise of repatriation of Almajirai to their home states.
According to a statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the pro Biafra group said it was surprised why the people behind the alleged plot will be sending Almajirai to Biafra land when the almajiri culture is alien to the region.
IPOB said “We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wishes to draw the attention of Biafrans and the world at large about the ploy by some Northern elements to export coronavirus from its Kano epicenter and other parts of Northern Nigeria to other parts of Nigeria particularly Biafra land.
“Those behind this evil plot are currently pursuing its actualisation under the guise of repatriation of Almajirai to their home states.
“It is a known fact that Biafrans have no Almajirai as that is not our culture. Why then are those behind the sending of Almajirai boys to Enugu doing so if not to infest Biafrans with COVID-19. It is an indisputabke face that there are no Almajirai of Biafran origin.”
It’s a deliberate plot to frustrate efforts by the region to stop the spread of the novel disease, the group said, adding that “Arewa North have been secretly sending potential coronavirus victims in the name of sending out their Alamajirai group to Enugu State since the lockdown started.
Dispatching Almajirai to our land under any guise will not be accepted. We shall stoutly resist this move.Now, they intend to infest the rest of us with the virus under the guise of repatriation of Almajirai.
We won’t allow this evil plot as there are no Almajiriai of Biafra origin, neither do we encourage such practice.”
