By Egbu Onwu Linus, JKNewsMedia Reporter, Benue State
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of 72 minors who were recently arraigned in Abuja’s Federal High Court alongside other young detainees.
He also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to oversee their rehabilitation.
Nationwide protests against economic hardship and inflation had taken a controversial turn when authorities reportedly detained minors among the demonstrators, sparking outrage across Nigeria.
On November 1, police arraigned 72 minors in Abuja’s Federal High Court, accusing them of treason for their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which had spread across cities like Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Jos.
Reports showed that many of the detained minors appeared malnourished, with four collapsing in the courtroom, intensifying calls for their immediate release.
Moreover, the president’s directive, announced on Monday by Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, prioritize the rights of the detained minors while addressing the public’s concerns.
The order follows statements from Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, who demanded the transfer of the minors’ case files to his office for review after backlash from civil society groups, activists, and citizens.
The directive also requires the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to reunite the minors with their families.
Furthermore, in an unprecedented move, President Tinubu also instructed the creation of a committee led by the humanitarian affairs ministry to investigate the minors’ arrest, detention conditions, and subsequent arraignment.
Idris confirmed that this committee would assess all aspects of the minors’ treatment, ensuring compliance with child protection laws.
The president’s order also called for a probe into the actions of the law enforcement agencies involved.
He directed that any officials found to have acted improperly in the arrest and detention of the minors be subjected to disciplinary action, marking a firm stance on the protection of minors’ rights.
The protests, which erupted in August, were driven by frustrations over Nigeria’s escalating cost of living and economic instability.
However, in certain northern states, demonstrators carried foreign flags, which authorities cited as evidence of subversive intentions.
Despite these allegations, the detention of minors stirred intense debate, with observers emphasizing the legal rights of minors under the Child Rights Act, including protection from inhumane treatment.
However, President Tinubu’s decision has been met with cautious optimism by the public, with hopes that the release will bring attention to the broader issues surrounding civil liberties and economic distress in Nigeria.
