IPOB Condemns Almajiri Repatriation, Says South East Is Not A Dumping Ground For COVID-19

The Media and Publicity Secretary of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Comrade Emma Powerful, in a statement on Monday, May 4 condemned the act of repatriating Almajiri children to indigenous states.

According to Emma, the deportation of the Almajiris can help in the spread of COVID-19 in other states of the country.

He further alleged that there is an ongoing plan by some leaders in the Northern part of the country to move Almajiri children to the Biafra land in the name of repatriation.

He said, “We wish to draw the attention of Biafrans and the world at large over the ploy by some Northern elements to export coronavirus from its Kano epicentre to other parts of Nigeria particularly Biafra land. Those behind this evil plot are currently pursuing its actualisation under the guise of repatriation of Almajiris to their home states,”

“We shall stoutly resist this move,” Emma reiterated.

“Instead of locking down to stem the spread as was done by all states in South East and South West, Northern leaders opened their borders and allowed free movement of their people many of who are now infested with the pandemic. Now they intend to infest the rest of us with the virus under the guise of repatriation of Almajiris. We won’t allow this evil plot as no Almajiri is from Biafra Land.”

The group take it further by educating its people to join heads together and kick against the alleged plan by the Northern region.

“Our land cannot be a depot for Almajiri. Let them stay in the North where they were incubated. Everybody knows that Almajiris are wanderers causing uprising, mayhem and crises in the whole of North. Most of the attacks against Christians and Biafrans living in the North as well as Christian communities in the North were traceable to them,” said the IPOB.

It also urged it political leaders, PANDEF, Ohaneze Ndigbo led by John Nnia Nwodo not to give chance for the North to turn the South East to a dumping ground for COVID-19.

“Arewa political elite and elders created and groomed Almajiri for their selfish gain. Therefore, they must live with their creation because we are going to allow them to infect us,” IPOB.

Meanwhile, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has stated that the increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kano State were caused by the delay in testing suspected cases.