In a significant development, Nigerian authorities have dropped treason and other charges against dozens of protesters, including over 30 minors, who were arrested during the August #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
The move comes after a highly publicized incident involving some of the minors collapsing in court, sparking widespread outrage.
The arrested individuals, including children as young as 14, had been detained for nearly three months following their participation in protests that erupted nationwide in response to the country’s deepening cost-of-living crisis.
The demonstrations, which at times turned violent, saw clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in at least seven deaths, according to police. However, human rights groups have put the death toll much higher, claiming 23 fatalities.
The issue of the minors’ treatment gained national attention last Friday when footage emerged showing four young detainees collapsing in court.
The viral videos of their apparent malnourishment and physical distress triggered a renewed debate about the conditions of their detention and the charges they faced.
Initial reports indicated that 27 minors were affected, but further details have since revealed that others, including children aged 14 to 17, were also detained under similar conditions.
The footage prompted a swift response from President Bola Tinubu, who called for the immediate release of all minors involved in the protests.
The president also instructed that an investigation be launched into the actions of the police and other officials involved in the arrests and the legal processes that followed.
In a statement issued on Monday, Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that the Nigerian Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs had been tasked with ensuring the safe return of all minors to their families.
Amnesty International and Nigerian human rights organization Enough is Enough have condemned the children’s detention, describing it as “institutional child abuse” and one of the most severe efforts to suppress freedom of assembly in the country.
“This is one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly that we have seen,” Amnesty stated, calling for accountability for those responsible for the abuse.
The protesters, who had been demanding better governance and an end to economic hardship, were arrested after a series of confrontations with security forces.
Police claimed that the detainees, some of whom were accused of flying Russian flags and plotting to overthrow the government, were linked to an organized attempt to destabilize the country.
However, critics argue that the harsh response to the protests and the continued detention of minors point to a broader pattern of abuse of power by Nigerian authorities.
The release of the minors and the dropping of charges have been viewed by some observers as a face-saving measure by the government.
Many believe that the government would have avoided this embarrassment if it had not taken such a heavy-handed approach against citizens demanding political change.
While the move has been welcomed by human rights groups, questions remain about the broader implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
As the investigation into the circumstances of the minors’ prolonged detention continues, it remains to be seen whether there will be any substantial changes in the government’s approach to dissent and civil rights in the future.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
