Following President Bola Tinubu’s reprieve on Monday, several minors aged 14-17, arrested during August’s #EndBadGovernance protests, recounted their traumatic experiences in custody to The PUNCH.
The minors, arrested for alleged treason and inciting mutiny, described their experiences as “hellish.” Umar Ali, 15, said, “We saw hell; we suffered a lot. We sometimes stayed for three days without food. And even when we were given food, it was always not enough.” Ali denied involvement in the protest, stating he was arrested while heading to the market.
Ibrahim Aliyu Musa, another minor, revealed they were kept with hardened criminals and often went hungry. “The food was nothing to write home about, inadequate and tasteless. They served us beans in the morning, rice at lunchtime, and Gabza for dinner.”
The Kaduna State Government reunited 39 detained protesters with their families, providing each with N100,000 and an A18s model Itel android phone. Governor Uba Sani promised rehabilitation and empowerment, contingent upon their good behavior.
The Nigeria Police Force denied maltreating the minors, claiming they were not kept with hardened criminals. However, the minors’ accounts contradict this.
Despite the presidential order, three minors remain in detention in Borno State Juvenile Home, awaiting trial for alleged participation in the protests.
The Emir of Kano, Mohammad Sunusi II, commended President Tinubu for the release, while the Chairman, Civil Liberty Organisation, Borno State chapter, Hassan Dahiru, expressed concern over the ongoing detention of minors.
