President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all minors charged in recent cost-of-living protests, ending weeks of public outrage over their detention.
Announced by the Minister of Information, the order affects young protesters aged 14 to 17 who were facing charges including treason, property destruction, public disturbance, and mutiny.
On Friday, some of the detained minors, visibly exhausted, appeared in court, with four collapsing before entering their pleas.
Nigerian children have spent over 90 days in prison for protesting hunger. Their crime? Demanding their right to basic needs. Their charge? Treason. Their future? Uncertain.@LOFagbemi, @FedMinOfJustice
Release them Now! #EndBadGovernance pic.twitter.com/Kx7lhh982D— EiE Nigeria (@EiENigeria) November 4, 2024
Although the directive does not interfere with ongoing legal proceedings, Tinubu has mandated the formation of an administrative committee to examine the conditions of the minors’ arrests, detention, and treatment. Additionally, the committee will investigate the actions of law enforcement officers involved in their cases.
The minors’ involvement in the protests reflects a wider public discontent amid Nigeria’s escalating cost-of-living crisis. Inflation has soared to its highest in 28 years, and October brought yet another fuel price hike, adding to the challenges faced by citizens.
This is a big disgrace and a sad reality as Nigerian government arraigned children and minors in court for treason who protested against hunger and bad governance. You can see how malnourished this children look. pic.twitter.com/zi8EEDMems
— Typical African (@Joe__Bassey) November 1, 2024
The increase followed a nearly 40% price rise in early September when the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) disclosed debts to fuel suppliers as it tried to stabilize its finances.
Rising fuel costs hit especially hard in Nigeria, where power outages make families and businesses heavily reliant on gasoline-powered generators. The recent hikes have intensified economic pressures on millions already struggling with the country’s most severe economic downturn in decades.
