IMPACT OF ALMAJIRAI ACTIVITIES ON POLITICAL THUGGERY IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract Political thuggery is one of the banes of developing democracies world-wide, especially in Africa. Politicians form and arm youth gangs to facilitate conflicts before, during, and after elections. In Bauchi State, a youth gang known as Sarasuka (the cut and stab gang) is the major instrument of political thuggery. Almajirai (pupils of traditional Qur’anic schooling system), because of the deterioration of the schooling system over the years, were alleged to be the gang’s major source of recruitment. Through the lens of relative deprivation theory, this exploratory study examined the involvement or otherwise of almajirai in political thuggery in the State. Using a quantitative research approach, the study utilized an in-depth questionnaire and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with stakeholders. The views of both the almajirai and the political thugs were obtained through twelve (12) FGDs across Bauchi Metropolis. Whereas, 120 questionnaires were shared and in-depth interviews were conducted with other stakeholders. Findings revealed that without any significant variation in the perception of stakeholders, there was a very high level of engagement of almajirai in political thuggery in Bauchi State. Reform of the Nigeria educational sector, both the conventional and the traditional Almajiri systems; committed poverty alleviation, enforcement of law and order, were among the recommendations offered.