President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all minors who were arrested over their alleged participation in August’s #EndBadGovernance protests.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, confirmed the directive on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
“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.
“Secondly, 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.
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“Thirdly, 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.
“lastly, the President has also directed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and 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 explained.
Recall, that. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had on Friday, arraigned 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, among whom were minors.
Viral videos of the malnourished children sparked outrage with some civil society groups calling for their immediate and unconditional release from detention.
The 76 protesters were arraigned in two batches, 32 of whom were children.
