President Tinubu Orders Release of Detained Minors in Protest Case

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of minors detained by Nigerian police following protests against economic hardship last August, according to Information Minister Mohammed Idris. The directive comes amid national outcry over the treatment of young detainees charged with treason and inciting a coup.

Idris announced the President’s decision on Monday during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa. “Mr. President has directed the immediate release of all the minors arrested by the Nigerian police without prejudice to ongoing legal processes,” Idris stated, highlighting Tinubu’s commitment to balancing legal considerations with humanitarian concerns. The directive was issued as public pressure mounted, with activists condemning the detentions as excessive and harmful to Nigeria’s youth.

In August, the #EndBadGovernance movement gained momentum across Nigeria, as citizens protested inflation and other economic challenges. The protests, however, escalated, resulting in the arrest of 76 individuals, including 30 minors aged between 14 and 17. The detainees, seen waving Russian flags during the protests, faced serious charges, including treason and calling for a military takeover.

The police filed charges on ten counts against the protesters, alleging conspiracy to destabilize Nigeria and incite mutiny. Among those arrested, several minors reportedly collapsed in court due to malnutrition, which further fueled criticism from civil society groups.

In a bid to address concerns over the minors’ welfare, President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure their immediate care and reunification with their families. “The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has been instructed to prioritize the welfare of these minors and to reunite them with their parents or guardians, no matter their location within the country,” Idris said.

Furthermore, an Administrative Committee led by the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry has been established to investigate all aspects of the minors’ detention, including their arrest, treatment, and the conditions they faced while in custody. “If any government official or law enforcement agent is found to have acted improperly, appropriate disciplinary measures will be enforced,” Idris added.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, took steps to review the case and consider withdrawing the charges against the minors. A statement from his office confirmed that the case file had been transferred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to expedite the legal review and potentially bring forward the next court date.

Human rights advocates have praised Tinubu’s directive but urged the government to go further. Defense lawyer Marshall Abubakar called the release “a welcome development” and suggested that the minors receive scholarships to cover their education expenses as compensation for the ordeal they experienced. “These children deserve a chance to move past this trauma,” Abubakar emphasized.

Okechukwu Nwaguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre, criticized the initial arrests, calling them a “violation of Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, which prioritizes the best interests of the child.” He urged the government to offer a public apology and ensure that these children are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the educational system. “Keeping minors in detention for nearly three months, alongside adults, is an abomination,” Nwaguma said, calling it “a national and international scandal.”

Debo Adeniran, head of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, added that the release decision was “long overdue.” He argued that minors, even if accused of an offense, should have been placed in juvenile centers rather than being held in facilities with adult detainees. “The justice system failed these children by detaining them with adults and exposing them to harsh conditions,” Adeniran stated.

In addition to the calls for support for the minors, rights groups and civil society organizations are urging a thorough review of Nigeria’s policing practices. Odeh Friday, Country Director of Accountability Lab, criticized the Nigerian police for what he described as “a pattern of unjust detentions.” He questioned the conduct of law enforcement and called for accountability within the police force. “The Inspector General of Police should face accountability for this mishandling. Our police force needs urgent restructuring,” he stated.

The directive to release the minors represents a significant response to growing public dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s handling of the protests.