In response to widespread public outrage following the arrest and detention of minors over their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests, President Bola Tinubu has directed their immediate release. The protests, which took place across Nigeria in August, saw young people voicing frustrations over issues such as economic hardship, high living costs, and governance concerns.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the President’s directive on Monday, shortly after Tinubu swore in seven newly appointed ministers cleared by the Senate. According to Idris, the President ordered the immediate release of the minors “without prejudice to whatever legal processes are ongoing,” signaling his disapproval of their prolonged detention.
The President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to attend to the welfare of the minors and to facilitate their safe reunification with their parents or guardians, regardless of where they are located within Nigeria. Tinubu further instructed the ministry to lead a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the minors’ arrest, detention, and treatment, with the goal of preventing future occurrences.
The directive comes amid growing backlash from Nigerians, after 72 minors were brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, November 1. They were charged with offenses including treason, following their participation in #EndBadGovernance protests in cities such as Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano. Images from the court showed some of the detainees appearing gaunt and poorly nourished, with reports that a few even collapsed during the hearing.
Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu granted bail set at N10 million for each of the minors—a decision that drew further criticism due to the severity of the charges and bail terms for young detainees. Advocacy groups, civil society organizations, human rights activists, and former presidential candidates have expressed outrage over the government’s handling of the minors, many of whom had already been in custody for more than eight weeks since the protests erupted.
In response to the backlash, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi swiftly issued a statement indicating that his office would review the case. He directed the police to transfer the case file to his office and assigned the matter to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) for further examination.
President Tinubu’s directive has been widely welcomed as a move toward reconciliation amid an increasingly vocal public calling for greater accountability and reform. The case has reignited national debates about the treatment of young protesters and raised questions over the government’s commitment to addressing the root issues that led to the demonstrations.
