President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all minors detained over their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August.
This announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
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According to Idris, “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.”
In addition to ordering their release, President Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to address the welfare of the minors and ensure their smooth reunion with their families or guardians across the country.
“The President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors, and to ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country,” Idris stated.
The President also plans to establish an administrative committee, led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to review all aspects of the minors’ arrest, detention, treatment, and subsequent release. Idris added, “The President has directed that an administrative committee will be set up immediately, to be headed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to examine all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.”
Tinubu further directed that all law enforcement personnel involved in the arrest and processing of the minors 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 President’s directive comes amid public outrage following the arraignment of at least 76 individuals, including 30 minors, on Friday. The minors, aged between 14 and 17, face charges ranging from treason and destruction of property to public disturbance and mutiny.
