Several underage #EndBadGovernance protesters, detained by the Nigeria Police Force since August, collapsed inside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday morning.
The minors, brought to the court from various police detention facilities, including the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) unit, reportedly fainted from hunger and maltreatment. “A couple of them fainted inside the courtroom because of maltreatment; they haven’t eaten for some days,” a source told Chronicles Reporters, accusing authorities of using hunger as a form of punishment against the youths for exercising their constitutional rights.
The detained protesters had taken part in demonstrations against rising insecurity and hardships caused by policies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Videos and photos obtained by chronicles Reporters on Friday reveal scenes of some teenagers, held since August, writhing on the courtroom floor as other detainees attempted to assist them. In one image, a lawyer is seen trying to revive a protester who collapsed while in the dock.
The protesters’ detention was authorized by Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted an ex-parte application by the police to hold them for 60 days to complete an “investigation” into alleged attempts to overthrow President Tinubu. Thirteen detainees were brought from IRT cells, with others arriving from different detention facilities across Abuja.
The Network of Abuja Left Groups, on Thursday, called for the immediate and unconditional release of 76 protesters, including 32 minors, detained since the August #EndBadGovernance protests. The coalition condemned the Tinubu administration for suppressing dissent and detaining peaceful demonstrators.
The group encouraged Nigerians to remain undeterred despite rising costs of living, describing the protests as a peaceful and united movement by citizens across ethnic, religious, and political divides, standing against the economic hardship and systemic failures impacting millions daily.