The Kano State government has officially released 76 minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests, handing them back to their parents after two weeks of rehabilitation and counselling.
The minors were arrested earlier this month for participating in protests calling for an end to bad governance in Nigeria.
The release comes after national and global outrage over the treatment of the detained children, with reports indicating that five minors collapsed in court due to the harsh conditions they were subjected to.
The children, who were charged with treasonable felony and attempting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, had sparked widespread condemnation after their appearances in court, where they appeared malnourished and unkempt.
The incident led to growing public outcry, forcing President Tinubu to intervene and order the minors’ release.
While the Nigerian police maintained that they had the right to prosecute the minors, the global reaction was swift, with human rights groups condemning the government for detaining children involved in a peaceful protest.
A statement from the Kano State government revealed that the children had been under a two-week rehabilitation program, where they were provided with counselling and support in an effort to help them recover from the trauma of their arrest.
The minors were finally handed over to their parents during an official ceremony, which was attended by government officials and representatives of human rights organizations.
Chief of Staff to the Kano State Governor, Shehu Wada Sagagi, spoke out about the incident, stressing that the government would not tolerate any attempts by parents to seek donations or support under the guise of a Parents Association.
“The government will not condone parents under the guise of Parents Association tasking people to collect donations or support for their children,” Sagagi stated. “This government will not take it lightly with anybody.”
The incident has brought to the forefront deep concerns about the state of governance in Nigeria, particularly in relation to the treatment of young people and their involvement in political protests.
The #EndBadGovernance protests were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of issues like unemployment, corruption, and poor infrastructure.
In his statement, Sagagi acknowledged that the protests were a wake-up call for the government to address the root causes of unrest, particularly the lack of employment opportunities and education for the nation’s youth.
“Our government knows that what happened at the #EndBadGovernance protest shows that government at all levels must wake up to the challenges of unemployment and lack of education,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the detention of minors has raised questions about the government’s handling of dissent and the rights of young people to participate in political discourse.
Critics have accused the Tinubu administration of using heavy-handed tactics to stifle protest and silence opposition voices, particularly among the younger generation.
The Nigerian Police’s insistence on prosecuting the minors despite their age has sparked further outrage, with human rights groups both within Nigeria and abroad calling for an end to the criminalization of peaceful protests.
“This is a clear case of government overreach,” said one human rights activist. “Children, who should be in school, are being dragged into courtrooms and accused of trying to overthrow the government for simply exercising their right to protest.”
The situation has highlighted a broader issue in Nigeria, where millions of young people are struggling with unemployment and a lack of access to education, both of which contribute to the frustrations that fuel protests like the #EndBadGovernance movement.
The protests have also shone a spotlight on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, with many questioning whether the country’s government truly respects the rights of its citizens to protest and speak out against injustice.
Despite the release of the minors, the issue remains unresolved, and the Kano State government has promised to take further action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We will continue to work with parents and community leaders to ensure that our children are protected and not exploited by those with political agendas,” Sagagi said.
