President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate release of all minors arrested over their alleged participation in #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
This was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Monday.
The directive is against the backdrop of the public condemnation of the trial of 30 children who were arraigned on Friday alongside 76 other people who were charged with 10 felony counts, including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and mutiny.
The minors’ ages range from 14 to 17 years.
“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,’ the minister said.
“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,'” he added.
“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.
“Fourthly, 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.”
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