By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Over 5,000 street children in Kano, Nigeria, are being evacuated due to economic hardship and security concerns. The Hisbah, Kano’s Islamic Sharia police, are conducting raids to relocate these children, many of whom are from broken homes or almajiri schools, to a rehabilitation camp. This initiative aims to provide psychosocial support, education, or vocational training before repatriation or reintegration into society. However, past similar efforts have proven unsuccessful, with children repeatedly returning to the streets. The current approach emphasizes rehabilitation prior to release, hoping to achieve lasting change.
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Islamic police in Nigeria, specifically the Hisbah force in Kano, are undertaking a large-scale operation to remove thousands of street children from the city streets. These children, often boys, are seen as a potential security risk and a symptom of the country’s worsening economic crisis. The Hisbah justifies their actions by citing the children’s vulnerability to criminal recruitment and the urgent need to prevent them from becoming a “ticking time bomb.” The operation involves nighttime raids across Kano, targeting areas where children typically congregate, like motor parks and markets.
The Hisbah’s director-general claims they’ve already transferred hundreds of children to a rehabilitation camp, where they’re supposedly receiving support and care. This camp is presented as a solution to the problem of street children, offering them a chance at rehabilitation, education, and vocational training. The goal, according to officials, is to provide psychosocial support, counseling, and eventually, either schooling or seed money for starting a trade. Children from outside Kano are also being identified and will be repatriated to their home states after this rehabilitation process.
However, the operation raises several concerns. While providing shelter, food, and education to vulnerable children is undeniably positive, the involvement of the Hisbah, a force known for enforcing strict Islamic law, casts a shadow over the endeavor. The concern is that this “rehabilitation” could involve religious indoctrination, potentially leading to the very radicalization the authorities claim to be preventing. The possibility that these children are being subjected to a form of religious conversion camp, rather than genuine care and education, cannot be entirely dismissed.
The underlying causes of this crisis are multifaceted. Kano has one of Nigeria’s highest divorce rates, leaving many children from broken homes to fend for themselves. The country’s severe economic hardship only exacerbates the situation, forcing more and more children into street life. Nigeria faces a staggering number of out-of-school children, with Kano State reporting some of the highest figures nationally. This alarming statistic highlights the systemic failures that allow such a large population of children to fall through the cracks.
Past attempts to address this issue have proven unsuccessful. Previous initiatives involving the reunification of street children with their families have failed, as the children often ended up back on the streets. This time, the authorities have opted for a different approach, aiming to rehabilitate the children before returning them home. This approach, however, is again intertwined with the Hisbah’s enforcement of Sharia law, raising legitimate questions about potential bias and the children’s long-term well-being.
The situation is further complicated by the nature of the Hisbah itself. While acting under the authority of the Kano State government, the Hisbah’s actions are not necessarily in accordance with Nigerian national law. The tension between Sharia law in some states and Nigeria’s secular constitution is a major point of contention. The lack of clarity regarding the legal standing of the Hisbah’s operation raises important questions about due process and human rights.
The combination of societal problems, religious influence, and the ambiguous nature of the Hisbah’s actions makes this a complex situation. While the immediate action of providing for these children might appear positive, the longer-term implications and potential for abuse remain a serious concern. The initiative’s potential for positive change is hampered by the broader context of poverty, societal instability, and the ambiguous role of the Hisbah within Nigerian law. The international community’s failure to effectively address this complex crisis through substantial and lasting solutions only further underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action. The success of this initiative relies heavily on its transparency, accountability, and commitment to genuine child welfare rather than religious proselytization. The very real potential for exploitation within the seemingly benevolent act of “rehabilitation” demands sustained scrutiny.