President Tinubu Orders Release of Detained Minors from #EndBadGovernance Protests Amidst Calls for Rehabilitation

The recent discharge of all juveniles charged in court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests has sparked mixed reactions. President Bola Tinubu directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to facilitate the immediate release of minors detained by the Nigeria Police in connection to last year's protests.

This directive, announced by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, followed the recent arraignment of several suspects, including minors, accused of treason and encouraging a military coup due to carrying Russian flags during protests. “I had a short briefing with Mr President this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police without prejudice to whatever legal processes. They are all minors. The President has directed that all of them be released immediately,” Idris stated during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

The #EndBadGovernance movement arose from widespread dissatisfaction with economic challenges and governance issues, leading to large-scale rallies across Nigeria last August. Among those arrested were thirty minors, aged 14 to 17, facing severe charges. Their appearance in court has drawn strong criticism from civil society organizations and rights groups.

Amnesty International condemned the strict bail terms and the arbitrary detention of minors, emphasizing that Nigeria’s focus should be on combating poverty and hunger rather than penalizing protesters. “With millions of people on the brink of starvation, widespread malnutrition, and deep poverty, President Bola Tinubu’s government should urgently address widespread hunger and the rapidly falling standard of living, instead of prioritising punishing protesters,” the organization wrote on X.

Similarly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) described the trial of the young protesters as a suppression of fundamental rights. “The Tinubu administration must promptly investigate the apparent ill-treatment of #EndBadGovernance protesters in prison and prosecute those responsible. The administration must immediately and unconditionally release those detained and drop all charges against them,” SERAP demanded.

The immediate release of the minors was also supported by prominent groups and figures, including the Northern governors, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and presidential candidates Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Abubakar Atiku of the People’s Democratic Party.

In addition to ordering their release, President Tinubu instructed Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, to ensure the minors’ welfare and reunification with their families.

Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the government to provide rehabilitation and education for the released minors, emphasizing the importance of their reintegration. “The young people have been freed. But as I told the court, it’s not enough to terminate this trial. These young people, who should have been in school during the protests, must be rehabilitated by the government. We will ensure they are rehabilitated and sent to school,” Falana said, warning that he would sue if the government fails to uphold its obligations under Nigeria’s child rights law.