Following the local and international outcry and condemnation of the detention of 30 minors and charging them for treason in a high court in Abuja for protesting against hunger, the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure the immediate release of the minors detained by the Nigeria Police in connection to last August’s protests without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes.
The directive came days after the 76 persons, including 30 minors, were charged with treason and inciting a military coup after they were seen waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests against economic hardship.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told journalists on Monday in Abuja that after examining the circumstances surrounding the cases, Tinubu issued the directive and emphasised the importance of balancing legal processes with humanitarian concerns.
“I had a short briefing with Mr President this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police without prejudice to whatever legal processes. They are all minors. The President has directed that all of them be released immediately,” he said.
In August, Nigeria witnessed widespread protests under the #EndBadGovernance movement, driven by public dissatisfaction with economic hardships and governance issues. The demonstrations escalated, leading to the arrest of 76 individuals, including 30 minors aged between 14 and 17, who were charged with serious offences such as treason and inciting a military coup.
The defendants, who have been in detention for three months, were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) as well as Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.
The report by Punch newspaper on Tuesday said that on Monday, President Tinubu instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to prioritise the immediate welfare of the minors and to ensure they are with their parents or guardians, regardless of their location within the country.
Additionally, an Administrative Committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to review all aspects related to the minors’ arrest, detention, treatment, and eventual release.
GIK/APA