ALMAJIRCI (TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP)AND POLITICAL THUGGERY IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI STATE, 2007-2015
ALMAJIRCI (TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP)AND POLITICAL THUGGERY IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI STATE, 2007-2015
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-01
Authors
MUSA, Umar Adam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
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 between 2007 and 2015. Using a qualitative research approach, the
study utilized an in-depth interview 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 six most representative Local Government Areas in the State. Whereas, thirtyfive
(35) in-depth interviews with other stakeholders were conducted. The data generated
were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Findings revealed that without any
significant variation in the perception of stakeholders, there was a very weak level of
involvement of almajirai in political thuggery in Bauchi State (2007-2015). 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.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE
STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
Keywords
ALMAJIRCI,, TRADITIONAL ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP,, POLITICAL THUGGERY,, NIGERIA, CASE STUDY,, BAUCHI STATE