The outcry against the inhumane treatment of these minors, who were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja, has persisted, particularly in light of the actions taken by the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu.
In this instance, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) has voiced its condemnation regarding the treatment of these young individuals.
“CACOL condemns in strong terms the detention, arraignment and inhuman treatment of minors arrested during the recent End Bad Governance protests.”
The organization shared its stance in a statement delivered by Tola Oresanwo, the Director of Administration and Programs, on behalf of the Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran.
“It was disgusting to watch a trending video footage on social media which depicts minors who appeared emaciated and visibly distressed after nearly three months in detention.”
“During a court appearance, one minor collapsed while others wept, prompting onlookers to challenge the legitimacy of the proceedings.” the statement noted.
The organisation noted the importance of the #EndBadGovernance protests which highlighted systemic inequalities in the society.
“It is a known fact that the End Bad Governance protests have emerged as a powerful cry for change, highlighting deep-rooted issues of corruption, inequality, and systemic neglect in our society.”
“Amid the fervor and fervent calls for accountability, a disturbing reality has come to light: a significant number of minors detained during these protests are suffering from severe malnutrition and deprivation. This grim intersection of political turmoil and child welfare underscores a profound failure of governance, where the most vulnerable—our children—bear the brunt of societal dysfunction.”
CACOL lamented that the root cause of the protests have remained unattended to by the government of the day “as hapless Nigerians still grapple with astronomical increases in the pump price of fuel, foodstuffs and other basic needs.”
The statement called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained children, as well as the withdrawal of all charges against them.
“We would like to call on the President to order the immediate release of these children unconditionally and cases against them should be withdrawn so as not to turn them into hardened criminals by putting them behind bars where they could easily be influenced by other bad elements.”
“Since Juvenile suspects are meant to be detained at remand homes with minimum conditions for detention, those who kept the minors in custody with adult suspects under such conditions should be investigated and punished.”
“After their release, these minors should be subjected to psychological debriefing which is a set of procedures that aims to help people recover from a traumatic event and prevent psychological harm. They should also be compensated for the inhumane treatment meted out to them by the agencies of the state.” the statement further read
It was also observed that these actions faced by minors highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive review and reform of the nation's justice system, with a strong emphasis on prioritizing the health and well-being of citizens.