President Bola Tinubu has issued an order for the immediate release of all minors detained over their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
The announcement was made on Monday by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
“The President has ordered the immediate release of all the minors who have been arrested by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to whatever legal processes they are undergoing. He has directed that they be released immediately,” Idris stated, emphasizing Tinubu’s commitment to addressing concerns surrounding the arrests.
In addition to the minors’ release, President Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to promptly attend to the welfare of the affected children and facilitate their reunion with their parents or guardians across the country.
The President also announced the formation of an administrative committee, led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the minors’ arrest, detention, and treatment.
The committee will assess the processes involved in their detention and ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.
In his directive, Tinubu further instructed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and legal proceedings be investigated.
“If any infractions are found to have been committed by any official of Government, whether from a law enforcement agency or another appropriate authority, disciplinary action will be taken against him or her,” Idris stated.
The directive follows public outcry over the prosecution of at least 76 individuals, including 30 children, who were arraigned on Friday.
The detainees face charges of treason, destruction of property, public disturbance, and mutiny in connection with the protests.
