In response to widespread criticism over the treatment of detained minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August, President Bola Tinubu has ordered their immediate release. The presidential directive came after public outcry over the prolonged detention and courtroom ordeal of the minors, with reports that three minors and an adult collapsed during a recent court session in Abuja.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Iris, revealed this decision on Monday, following a briefing with the president.
“The president has directed the immediate release of all the minors arrested by the police, without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes,” Mr. Iris stated. He emphasized that the directive also includes provisions for the minors’ welfare, with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction tasked with overseeing their safe reunification with families.
President Tinubu further called for an official inquiry into the treatment of the minors while in custody. A government committee is set to investigate the conduct of all officers involved in the arrests and handling of these cases, with disciplinary action promised for any breaches of protocol. The detention of the minors has sparked strong reactions from the public and human rights advocates, who have questioned why the minors were not brought before juvenile courts.
The Ministry of Women Affairs recently disclosed that 52 minors were detained following the August protests, where thousands of Nigerians took to the streets to demand improved living conditions and government accountability.
