The Nigerian government is facing backlash and pressure to drop charges against dozens of minors who were arrested for allegedly participating in protests against the high cost of living in the country. A total of 76 people, including 30 children, were arraigned on Friday and charged with various offenses, including treason and public disturbance. The minors, aged between 14 to 17 years old, have been under detention for three months, and scenes of them fainting in court sparked outrage from politicians and civil society.
Politician Peter Obi, who ran for president in 2023, described the footage of the young Nigerians in court as revealing minors who were weak and barely able to stand, with some even fainting due to exhaustion and lack of nourishment. Amnesty International condemned the minors’ detentions, calling it a horrifying attempt to suppress freedom of assembly. The Nigerian Inspector General of Police denied mistreating the detainees and stated that medical aid was provided to them. The police also emphasized that age does not exempt individuals from facing legal consequences and defended their decision to arraign the minors.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a Nigerian human rights group, called on President Bola Tinubu to use his leadership position to release the minors within the next 48 hours. SERAP also urged President Tinubu to investigate the circumstances surrounding the children’s rights violations and those of other protesters. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, reportedly started moves to drop the charges against the minors. The situation arises from frustrations over the cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria, which has led to protests and arrests of individuals demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.
In August, a protest demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people resulted in at least 20 people being shot dead, and hundreds were arrested. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, is reportedly working to drop the charges against the minors. The ongoing crisis in Nigeria has led to unrest and protests due to the high cost of living and lack of opportunities for young people. The government is facing pressure from politicians, civil society, and human rights groups to address the situation and release the detained minors.
President Tinubu is urged to intervene and release the minors, who were detained for participating in peaceful protests. The protests in Nigeria have highlighted the challenges faced by the youth in the country, including a lack of opportunities and high living costs. The government’s response to the protests, including the arrest and detention of minors, has sparked outrage and condemnation. The situation calls for a thorough investigation into the human rights violations and a resolution to drop the charges against the minors involved in the protests.
