By Comfort Olayinka
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly condemned the detention and maltreatment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, calling for their immediate release.
Several minors, some under 15, collapsed due to malnutrition in a Federal High Court in Abuja, sparking widespread concern. CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani in a press statement released on Saturday urged First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, asking her to see the young detainees as her own children as the minors have been held since August by Nigerian police after participating in protests against insecurity and deprivation.
CISLAC appealed to President Bola Tinubu to halt these actions and order the minors’ release. “It is disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image to witness such treatment of young citizens exercising their constitutional rights,” Rafsanjani stated.
“Detaining these children under such appalling conditions is unconscionable,” Rafsanjani emphasized.
Reports allege the minors were denied adequate food and medical care in police detention cells. Their prolonged detention and harsh conditions were intended to punish them for allegedly fighting the government, despite lacking credible evidence.
CISLAC criticized this treatment, emphasizing it violates national and international human rights standards.
They called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to advocate for the detained minors’ rights and urged international bodies like UNICEF and Save the Children Foundation to condemn the incident and pressure the Nigerian government for unconditional release.
“We are appealing to all responsible authorities to ensure their swift release and hold those who orchestrated their detention. This incident stands as a dark stain on our national commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights.”
The Concerned Members of Kano Civil Society Forum (CMKCSF) also condemned the detention and ill-treatment of the minors, calling for immediate medical attention and bail processing.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many criticizing the Nigerian government’s handling of the protests and treatment of the minors. As the situation unfolds, CISLAC and other rights groups continue to advocate for the minors’ rights and demand justice.
