KEY POINTS

• Following the #EndBadGovernance protests, President Tinubu directs the immediate release of all minors arrested.
• The welfare and safe reunion of the minors with their families is the responsibility of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
• Disciplinary action against officials who violated protocols could be in store after the case is investigated by a committee which will probe ‘how minors were arrested and treated’.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained in connection with their alleged participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this directive during Monday’s emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Immediate action for the welfare of children in the detention

President Tinubu also said the minors, some aged between 14 and 17, should be released and not prejudicial to whatever legal processes were going on.

He also asked the Ministry of Humanitarian affairs and Poverty Reduction to take care of the minors. These minors are to be reunite them with their families. 

In addition, an administrative committee, chaired by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, will be placed to probe the manner in which the minors were arrested and detained.

Law enforcement officers who carried out the arrests should also be investigated, he said, adding that if any official is found to have made infractions, ‘there will be disciplinary action.’

Protesters face backlash after challenges from police and the legal system

The contempt charge comes after the country’s contentious trial of 76 people, 30 of them minors. Accused in 91 felony and misdemeanour counts of treason and public disturbance following their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

According to The Punch, the release of the minors is the first step to alleviate worries about the treatment of young protesters in Nigeria.