THE THOUGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF SULTENG – In the shadow of the conflict gripping the northeastern region of Nigeria, a social movement led by women is starting to show strength in curbing street thuggery. Mothers’ groups in the Maiduguri and Jere regions are now at the forefront in changing the mindset of the younger generation to get out of the vortex of radical motorcycle gang violence. Their humanist and heartfelt approach has proven effective in reducing crime rates in a zone that has been characterized by fear for years.
These women’s brave steps succeeded in injecting new hope in a community that was skeptical about the future of local youth.
What a victim of the ferocity of the Marlians street gang
One of the dark stories about the brutality of street life in Nigeria was experienced by Mohammed Abdulhamid, a young man from Ajilari, a suburb of Maiduguri. In 2023, Mohammed was the victim of a brutal stabbing by a rival gang which left the fingers of his right hand permanently mutilated. This bloody tragedy not only robbed him of his future as a contract carpenter, but also became a turning point for him to quit the black world full of revenge.
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Before the massive cleansing by the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, local criminal groups calling themselves “Marlians” often terrorized residents using machetes, axes and homemade weapons.
This gang also often uses commercial three-wheeled vehicles to snatch cellphones, rob passengers, and illegally control areas through organized acts of violence.
It is the mother’s touch that softens the doctrine of violence
Facing the authorities’ deadlock in reducing teenage turmoil, a campaign led by the local women’s community came up with persuasive methods. They visit youth enclaves, knock on house doors, and act as mother figures who listen to the complaints and past trauma of gang members. This transformation is also supported by former perpetrators such as Mohammed who are now active in educating middle and high school aged children so that they do not fall into the same hole.
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Through emotional dialogue and providing space for positive activities, slowly but surely, many Marlians members put down their sharp weapons and chose to return to school or become entrepreneurs. This heart-to-heart strategy proves that handling horizontal conflicts does not always have to be resolved with the muzzle of a gun, but rather through genuine concern.***
