NIGERIA: Kano State Releases 76 Detained Minor Protesters To Parents

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Kano State Government has released 76 minors detained after participating in the October 1 #EndBadGovernance protests.

Governor Abba Yusuf, represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Sagagi, handed over the children to their parents during a ceremony on Thursday at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital in Kano, where the minors had been treated for various ailments incurred during their detention.

The minors, some as young as 15, were brought to an Abuja High Court on November 1, 2024, in visibly poor conditions, prompting widespread public outrage.

Reports of malnourishment, unkempt appearances, and instances of some collapsing during court sessions heightened calls for their immediate release.

In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened, directing their freedom.

The release was formalised on November 5 by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who handed the minors over to their respective governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In Kano, Governor Yusuf commended President Tinubu for his swift action, emphasising the importance of education in shaping the children’s future.

He urged parents to support government efforts in ensuring the children are properly educated to contribute positively to society. While pledging government assistance for the minors’ education, he cautioned parents against forming groups to solicit financial aid, stressing that the state would not tolerate such actions.

The state government announced that a final-year undergraduate among the protesters would receive assistance to complete their studies, while another with a National Certificate in Education would be offered employment.

Eight of the minors who had completed secondary school will be supported in pursuing higher education, while those yet to complete their schooling have been provided with uniforms, shoes, and other essentials.

The children underwent medical evaluations and necessary treatment at the hospital before being reunited with their families. Parents expressed gratitude to the state government and all stakeholders involved in securing the minors’ release.

Former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, founder of the Bafarawa Foundation, also supported the children by donating ₦50,000 each to aid their education.

The minors were among those arrested during the protests in Kano and Kaduna, which were part of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance movement. Their release underscores the government’s efforts to rehabilitate them and provide opportunities for a better future while addressing the aftermath of the demonstrations.