In response to public outrage over the detention of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations last August, President Bola Tinubu has instructed the immediate release of all affected children.
During a press briefing on Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the President’s directive following the swearing-in of seven new ministers. He emphasized that the release is to occur regardless of ongoing legal proceedings.
Additionally, the President has tasked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction with ensuring the well-being of the minors and facilitating their reunion with parents or guardians across the country.
Tinubu also called for the establishment of a committee, led by the humanitarian affairs ministry, to address the circumstances surrounding the minors’ arrests, detention, and treatment.
The issue escalated on November 1, 2024, when 72 minors were brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja, facing serious charges related to their participation in the protests. The young defendants, apprehended in various states including Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano, appeared visibly malnourished, with some collapsing in court.
Judge Obiora Egwuatu granted bail of N10 million to the group, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the public’s concern.
