- Nigeria Drops Charges Against Protesters
- President Tinubu Orders Release of Minors
- 30+ Children Freed After Malnourishment Outcry
The Nigerian government has dropped treason and other charges against dozens of protesters, including over 30 children, who were arrested in August for participating in anti-government demonstrations. President Bola Tinubu had already called for the release of all minors, some as young as 14, following footage of four children collapsing in court due to apparent malnourishment. The protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance, began in August, with demonstrators demanding better governance amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis.
The situation turned violent in some areas, resulting in clashes between protesters and security forces. While police reported seven deaths, rights groups claim the toll is significantly higher at 23. Nearly 700 people were arrested. Some protesters were accused of flying Russian flags and planning to overthrow the government. However, President Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the arrests and detention processes.
Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have condemned the treatment of protesters, labeling it “institutional child abuse” and “one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly”. The government’s decision to drop the charges has been viewed as a face-saving measure, with observers suggesting that avoiding a high-handed approach against protesters would have prevented the embarrassment.
