President Tinubu Calls for Immediate Release of Children Arrested in Protests

The case gained attention after the police presented 72 minors before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, November 1, 2024, where they faced charges including treason for their involvement in the nationwide protests.

In response to widespread public outrage following the arrest and arraignment of minors associated with the #EndBadGovernance protests in August, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all detained minors. This announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following the President’s swearing-in of seven new ministers approved by the Senate.

Idris stated that the President’s directive to release the children comes without prejudice to any ongoing legal proceedings. Additionally, he has instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to ensure the welfare of the minors and facilitate their reunification with their parents or guardians across the country. The President has also mandated the establishment of a committee, led by the humanitarian affairs ministry, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the minors’ arrests, their treatment while detained, and the process of their release.

The case gained attention after the police presented 72 minors before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, November 1, 2024, where they faced charges including treason for their involvement in the nationwide protests. The minors, who were 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 for all 72 minors, who had been detained for over eight weeks amid mounting public outcry.

Public condemnation of the government’s actions included voices from former presidential candidates, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and regional socio-political groups who expressed their anger upon learning of the minors’ prolonged detention.

In the wake of the national backlash, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, quickly issued a statement indicating that his office would need to review the case to make an informed decision. He has since directed the police to transfer the case file to his office for further investigation by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).