The Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, has said that over 13,000 Almajiri children have been registered in Keffi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. Also, 8, 000 out-of-school children have been identified and returned to schools in the area.
The Emir gave the figures on Thursday when reporters visited him in his palace.
According to the monarch, the decision by the emirate council to embark on the headcount of the Almajiri children and the out-of-school children was to reduce the increasing number of the children being brought in and dumped in the state.
According to him, the situation is fast becoming worrisome to the wellbeing and security of the children and the state.
He added that the committee set up to handle the enumeration has taken inventory of Islamic schools and the total number of Almajiris in the local government to ascertain the accurate figures so as to plan better on how to reform the system and stem any unwanted outcome.
He explained that to stem the trend, traditional institutions in the 13 local government areas have been admonished to key into the initiative being undertaken by the emirate council.
The royal father stated that the local government has also undertaken to provide school materials for the reintegrated 8,000 out-of-school children.
