Nigeria has released 29 minors who had been detained for more than two months and risked the death penalty for allegedly participating in protests against rising living costs. UNN writes with reference to the Associated Press.
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On Tuesday, the Nigerian authorities released 29 children who had been held for more than two months and faced the death penalty for participating in protests against the country's soaring cost of living. This happened after numerous calls for their release.
Ado Abdullahi, whose two sons were among the detained minors, said they had never participated in protests in their home state of Kano and were running errands when they were arrested and taken to Abuja.
The police just came and took them away,
Ikililu Sani, the father of one of the detainees, said that his son Habiba was arrested when he was picking up his motorcycle from a repair shop.
The children's detention was not reported until after the charges were filed, sparking outrage and raising concerns about the human rights situation in Africa's most populous country. Under pressure from activists, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered the children's release on Monday and ordered an investigation into the actions of law enforcement officials involved in the arrest and prosecution of the children.
Initially, the police justified their actions, but on Monday evening they announced the launch of an investigation into the ill-treatment of minors in custody.
Lawyers and activists have called on the Nigerian government to ensure the welfare of the children and provide them with support in education. Marshall Abubakar, one of the lawyers, noted that the release of the children is only "the first step in the right direction.
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