On Friday morning, several underage protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, who have been in custody since August, collapsed in the Federal High Court in Abuja. The minors were brought to the courtroom from various police detention facilities, including the Intelligence Response Team unit.
Witnesses revealed that at least a few of the minors fainted due to maltreatment and hunger, having gone days without proper food. A source told SaharaReporters that the authorities appeared to be using hunger as a means of torture against these young individuals, who were simply exercising their constitutional rights. The protests were sparked by concerns over rising insecurity and the hardships caused by President Bola Tinubu’s policies.
Photographs and videos shared by SaharaReporters show the distressing scene in the courtroom, with some of the teenagers lying on the floor while others attempted to assist them. One image captured a lawyer trying to revive a protester who had collapsed while standing in the dock.
The detention of these minors was sanctioned by Justice Emeka Nwite, who approved a police request to hold them for 60 days to continue their investigation into allegations of attempting to overthrow President Tinubu. Reports indicate that 13 of the detained minors were brought from the IRT cells, while others were transferred from various detention centers across Abuja.
In response to the ongoing situation, the Network of Abuja Left Groups has called for the immediate and unconditional release of 76 protesters, including 32 minors, arrested during the August demonstrations. The coalition expressed concern over the months the protesters have spent in custody and condemned the Tinubu administration for its efforts to suppress dissent.
The group encouraged Nigerians to remain resilient despite the rising cost of living, emphasizing that the #EndBadGovernance protests represent a collective and peaceful stand by the people against the severe economic struggles and systemic failures affecting millions of Nigerians daily.
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