Mixed Reactions as President Orders Release of Minors Detained Over Protests

The recent release of all minors prosecuted for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations has sparked mixed responses across the country.

President Bola Tinubu ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation to ensure the minors' immediate release following their detention by the police after August’s protests. The order came days after some of the minors faced charges of treason and inciting a military coup, stemming from their actions during the protests.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the decision during an emergency briefing, stating that Tinubu prioritized balancing legal processes with humanitarian concerns. “The President has directed the immediate release of all minors arrested by the Nigerian police,” Idris confirmed.

In August, the #EndBadGovernance movement saw widespread protests over economic hardships, leading to the arrest of numerous participants, including 30 minors aged 14 to 17. Civil society organizations and human rights activists condemned the police's actions, with Amnesty International calling for the minors' immediate release, criticizing their detention as a violation of their rights.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) described the charges as an attempt to “instill fear” and “deny citizens their fundamental rights,” urging the government to investigate the treatment of the protesters and drop charges against all detained individuals. High-profile figures, including opposition leaders and organizations such as the Arewa Consultative Forum, echoed these calls, urging the government to act swiftly.

President Tinubu also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure the welfare and smooth reintegration of the minors with their families. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana called for the government to provide educational support for the minors, emphasizing their right to rehabilitation under the child rights law.

In response to the release, defense counsel Marshall Abubakar called on the government to grant scholarships to the affected minors to support their education. Similarly, human rights groups stressed the need for reintegration, with the Executive Director of the Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre condemning the initial arrests as a violation of the Child Rights Act.

Public affairs analyst Ugo Enwereji and other commentators criticized the government’s handling of the situation, urging more proactive approaches to avoid similar incidents. Others emphasized that the right to protest should be protected under the law, calling for policy reforms that address citizens' grievances rather than punishing peaceful demonstrators.