By Hope Temitope
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure the immediate release of the minors detained by the Nigerian Police in connection to last August’s protests without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes.
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.
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.
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 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.”