By President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Monday.
According to Idris, President Tinubu has mandated that these minors be released by the Nigeria Police, regardless of any ongoing legal proceedings. Additionally, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has been instructed to address the welfare needs of these minors and ensure they are safely reunited with their families across the country.
The President also directed the establishment of an administrative committee, led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to investigate all aspects of the minors’ arrest, detention, treatment, and release. Furthermore, an inquiry will be conducted into the conduct of all law enforcement personnel involved, with disciplinary action to be taken against any officials found to have committed misconduct.
This directive comes in response to public backlash over the recent arraignment of at least 76 individuals, including 30 minors, on charges of treason, property destruction, public disturbance, and mutiny.
