Nigeria President Bola Tinubu on Monday 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 people, 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.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this to State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Idris said 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 announced.
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.
They were arraigned by the Inspector General of Police on 10 counts bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.
Notably, during their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, at least four minors collapsed, prompting widespread outrage and condemnation from civil society groups and human rights activists.
On Monday, however, the President 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.
Furthermore, the President mandated an investigation into the actions of all law enforcement agents and officials involved in the minors’ arrest and legal processing, promising appropriate disciplinary measures against cases of misconduct uncovered.
The Information Minister said, “Second, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately see to the welfare of those minors and also take part to ensure a smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country.
“Number three, the President has directed that a committee be set up immediately to be headed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, it is actually an Administrative Committee, to look at all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these minors.
“Fourthly, the President has also directed that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if there are any infractions found to have been committed by any official of Government, be it a law enforcement agent, or whoever that person may be, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against him or her.”
