Children who collapsed in court on Nigeria treason charges to be freed

Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has ordered the immediate release of 27 teenagers who had been accused of treason following their participation in anti-government protests earlier this year. The decision came after a harrowing incident in court, where some of the young detainees collapsed due to apparent malnutrition, igniting public outrage over their treatment by authorities.

The teenagers, aged between 14 and 18, were among 76 individuals arrested in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place in August. These demonstrations were sparked by a deepening cost of living crisis and widespread public dissatisfaction with the government. While some of the protests were peaceful, others escalated into violence when demonstrators clashed with security forces. Police reported that seven people died during the protests, though rights organizations, including Amnesty International, estimate the death toll at 23. Nearly 700 individuals were arrested during the unrest.

The teenagers had been held in detention for nearly three months before their court appearance on Friday in the capital, Abuja. During the hearing, four of the young suspects collapsed in the courtroom, reportedly due to malnutrition. Videos of the incident, showing the teens writhing in pain before being rushed for medical attention, quickly went viral on social media, prompting widespread condemnation.

In response to the public outcry, President Tinubu issued a statement through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, directing that the minors be released immediately. Onanuga emphasized that the release would not affect the ongoing legal proceedings against the accused, who were charged with serious offenses, including flying Russian flags and plotting to overthrow the Nigerian government. According to reports, the treason charges against the children have been dropped, although the full details of the legal proceedings remain unclear.

Tinubu also instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate the safe return of the minors to their families. In addition, an investigation has been launched to examine the circumstances surrounding the prolonged detention of these young individuals, which has raised serious concerns among human rights groups.

The treatment of the young detainees has been widely condemned. Nigerian rights organization Enough is Enough described the events in court as “institutional child abuse,” citing the physical and psychological toll the detention had taken on the teenagers. Amnesty International also weighed in, calling the children’s prolonged detention “one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly” in the country’s recent history.

The case highlights the growing tension between Nigerian authorities and citizens who are increasingly frustrated with the government’s handling of social and economic issues. The #EndBadGovernance protests, which included calls for an end to government corruption and a reduction in the high cost of living, reflected the anger felt by many Nigerians, particularly the youth, towards a political system they see as failing to address their needs.

Despite the president’s decision to release the detained minors, the incident has reignited a larger debate about the state of human rights in Nigeria. The government’s response to protests and dissent has often been harsh, with security forces accused of using excessive force to disperse demonstrators. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the Nigerian government for its crackdown on freedom of expression, pointing to the arrests, beatings, and even killings of protesters.

The case also underscores the growing concerns about the treatment of children in Nigerian detention facilities. Many critics argue that the government has failed to provide adequate protection for minors, particularly those involved in political protests. Children should be afforded special protections under Nigerian and international law, yet their continued detention in harsh conditions raises questions about the country’s commitment to upholding those rights.

The release of the 27 teenagers, while a positive development, has not fully resolved the issues surrounding their arrest and detention. Activists are calling for a thorough investigation into the treatment of the minors, as well as broader reforms to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Some have also called for the government to address the root causes of the protests, including poverty, unemployment, and widespread discontent with the political establishment.

As Nigeria faces growing unrest and dissatisfaction with the government, the treatment of these young people remains a potent symbol of the country’s struggles with governance, human rights, and the rule of law. While their release marks a small victory for human rights advocates, it is clear that much more needs to be done to address the deeper issues driving unrest in the country.

The government’s handling of this case will likely be closely scrutinized in the coming months, as Nigerians continue to demand accountability from their leaders.