The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and other advocacy groups have condemned the President Bola Tinubu government for detaining minors who protested against hunger and poor governance.

They described their detention as a violation of constitutional rights and an affront to international human rights standards.

The detained minors, held for over three months without trial, reportedly endured harsh conditions while detained for participating in protests.

While reacting to the situation in a chat with The Guardian, the spokesperson for NEF, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said that the federal government’s actions amounted to “shameful and unacceptable impunity.”

Suleiman criticised the arbitrary detention and treason charges against these children, calling it “A grotesque abuse of power and a blatant disregard for fundamental rights.”

He emphasised that treason, by definition, requires intent and understanding that children simply lack, making the charges both “legally dubious and morally reprehensible.”

Suleiman also highlighted the silence of northern state governors and regional leaders, describing it as tacit approval of the federal government’s actions.

He argued that their failure to speak out has contributed to a climate of powerlessness among affected communities and called for the immediate release of all detained minors.

He said: “The detaining and accusing of mostly Northern Nigerian minors for treason amounts to shameful and unacceptable impunity by the federal government.

“This trend is a stark indictment of the state of justice and human rights in the country, where the arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention without due process, and arraignment on charges of treason represent a blatant disregard for the fundamental rights of children.”

Suleiman urged a multi-pronged approach to address this issue, including an impartial investigation into the circumstances of the arrests and a thorough review of treason laws, particularly as they apply to minors.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has echoed Suleiman’s condemnation.

CNG’s National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, in a statement, emphasised that the detained minors were merely exercising their rights to free expression and assembly, both protected by the Nigerian Constitution.

Charanchi labelled the detentions a ‘gross violation’ of human rights, urging leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare over punitive measures. “This incident reveals both desperation and indifference to the wellbeing of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens, exposing the country to international criticism.”

Charanchi criticised the government’s approach to governance, arguing that rather than fostering constructive dialogue, it has resorted to suppressing young voices.

He pointed out that while power outages, inflation, and soaring fuel prices have worsened quality of life for Nigerians, the government has chosen to clamp down on youth advocacy.

Charanchi asserted that this tactic not only reveals a failure in leadership but also fosters public disillusionment and distrust.

CNG’s demands include immediate release of the detained minors and intervention from civil society and humanitarian organisations to prevent further deterioration of the children’s health.

They assert that hunger and deprivation, used as punitive measures against the youth, reflect a deeper failure in leadership. Charanchi drew a pointed comparison between the detained minors and more serious offenders who, he suggested, face less scrutiny, arguing that the treatment of the minors undercuts faith in governance and highlights a broken system.

Also speaking to The Guardian, President of the Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development Balarabe Rufai said, “Nigeria’s laws seem to apply only to the downtrodden. This is a national embarrassment and shows a lack of sensitivity on the part of the government to the struggles of its citizens.”

He called for a thorough investigation, saying, “We cannot allow these actions to continue unchallenged. Nigeria must be a leader among black nations, not a place where children are unjustly treated and deprived.”

Rufai called on Nigerians to push collectively for better governance and an end to practices that silence the country’s youth, saying, “This is not just a violation of rights; it is a national crisis that must be addressed for the sake of future generations.”

The combined outcry from NEF, CNG, and other civil society advocates paints a stark picture of the challenges facing Nigeria.

They called for the government’s commitment to human rights, emphasising the need for leadership that supports rather than silences youth voices.

As Nigeria grapples with economic and social challenges, these groups urge the government to prioritise constructive engagement, uphold democratic values, and foster hope among young Nigerians.

The Guardian