Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday advised the now-released minors earlier detained for their role in last August’s protest to turn a new leaf and build responsible futures.
Addressing the minors at the State House Auditorium, Abuja, Shettima argued that President Bola Tinubu’s decision, made on humanitarian grounds despite evidence of wrongdoing, was an opportunity for personal reform.
He encouraged them not to let themselves be drawn into violence or actions that could harm public and private property, noting that the protests had resulted in a N300bn economic loss.
Shettima said, “The President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions, some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
“The President, as the father of the nation, is giving these young men another chance to become responsible citizens who will make a positive impact in a drive for a better Nigeria.
“I would like to admonish you, young men, not allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property. Over N300bn was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business. Of these, 76 were from Kano, and 73 have now been handed over to Governor Yusuf.”
On Monday, Tinubu directed the AGF to ensure the immediate release of the minors detained by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes.
The directive came days after 76 people, including 30 minors, were charged with treason and inciting a military coup after they were seen waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests against economic hardship.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this to State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Idris said after examining the circumstances surrounding the cases, Tinubu issued the directive and emphasised the importance of balancing legal processes with humanitarian concerns.
“I had a short briefing with Mr President this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police without prejudice to whatever legal processes. They are all minors. The President has directed that all of them be released immediately,” he announced.
In August, the country witnessed widespread protests under the #EndBadGovernance movement, driven by public dissatisfaction with economic hardship and governance issues.
The demonstrations escalated, leading to the arrest of 76 individuals, including 30 minors aged between 14 and 17, who were charged with serious offences such as treason and inciting a military coup.
The defendants, detained for three months, were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.
The Inspector General of Police arraigned them on 10 counts bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.
Notably, during their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, at least four minors collapsed, prompting widespread outrage and condemnation from civil society groups and human rights activists.
On Monday, however, the President instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to prioritise the immediate welfare of the minors and to ensure they are with their parents or guardians, regardless of their location within the country.
To the released detainees, Shettima said, “I will advise you, you are our children, to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society.”
He also called on governors and elected representatives from all political backgrounds to unite and support the rehabilitation and reintegration of the released protesters into their communities.
“I will urge our governors and our elected representatives here that cut across the political divide; what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides.
“I will call our two governors and our Representatives into a single cause and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the fabric of our communities,” said the VP.
