The arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, has ignited widespread condemnation across Nigeria, highlighting severe concerns over human rights violations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. These children, detained for three months, faced charges including treason for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that erupted in August, demanding urgent reforms amidst escalating economic hardship.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes in court, where the malnourished minors were seen scrambling for basic sustenance. As proceedings began, four of the children collapsed from apparent exhaustion and hunger, prompting a suspension of the session as they were rushed out for medical attention. Their condition drew outrage from civil society groups and human rights activists, who criticized the government’s treatment of these vulnerable children.
Leading voices from across Nigeria condemned the actions of law enforcement and the government. The Nigerian Bar Association denounced the use of minors in a Federal High Court, arguing that such proceedings violate both domestic and international legal standards protecting children’s rights. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Isiaka Olagunju, called the detention and arraignment a flagrant breach of the Child Rights Act, insisting that minors should not face such charges outside a family court.
The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, expressed deep concern over the treatment of the minors, likening their courtroom appearance to scenes from a concentration camp. He emphasized that every nation is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable, calling for their immediate release. Peter Obi, another prominent political figure, echoed this sentiment, urging an investigation into the inhumane conditions the minors faced while in custody.
Civil society organizations, including the Take it Back Movement and Enough is Enough Nigeria, branded the government’s actions as tyrannical, demanding the immediate release of the detained children. Amnesty International also condemned the government’s disregard for legal protections for minors, calling for their unconditional release and highlighting the risks these children now face under spurious charges.
This incident has sparked a broader dialogue on governance, human rights, and the treatment of dissent in Nigeria, with citizens across the country uniting in outrage against what many view as an oppressive and authoritarian response to peaceful protests. As calls for justice intensify, the Tinubu administration faces mounting pressure to address these violations and reconsider its approach to civil dissent.
