In August 2024, a wave of discontent swept across Nigeria as thousands of young citizens mobilized under the banner of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Motivated by frustration with the hardships, hunger, and alleged corruption affecting the country, they took to the streets to call for change.
However, their activism was met with a harsh crackdown from Nigerian security forces, resulting in numerous arrests.
Among those detained were minors, whose continued imprisonment has sparked outcry from both the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria.
These organizations have condemned the government’s actions, calling for the immediate release of all detained individuals and the dropping of severe charges leveled against them.
The protests initially served as a platform for young Nigerians to express grievances that have plagued the country for years, including economic hardship, poverty, and an erosion of trust in government institutions.
However, the government's response to these peaceful protests has become a focal point of controversy.
Among the detainees facing court proceedings are 76 individuals, including minors, who now stand accused of “treasonable felony”—a charge that both SERAP and Amnesty International argue is not only excessive but intended to stifle dissent.
The situation came to a head recently at a Federal High Court in Abuja, where one of the minors collapsed during proceedings.
The incident shed light on the dire circumstances surrounding the arrests and underscored the physical and emotional toll on young detainees.
In response, SERAP took to social media, using its official X account (formerly Twitter), to voice its dismay.
The organization directly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the government to release all detainees and dismiss the charges.
"The Tinubu administration must unconditionally release the 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters and drop all charges of ‘treasonable felony’ against them, or face legal action," SERAP declared. "No one should ever be punished for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
For SERAP, this crackdown represents an alarming pattern by the government to sidestep accountability and deter activism.
According to the organization, the arrests are part of a larger strategy to cultivate a culture of fear and impunity in Nigeria.
The organization insists that Nigerians deserve better, advocating for a society where citizens can voice their concerns without fear of reprisal.
They contend that, rather than responding with repressive tactics, the government should instead be held accountable for addressing the socioeconomic issues driving public dissatisfaction.
Amnesty International Nigeria has joined SERAP in condemning the government’s actions.
It has voiced particular concern about the detention of minors, emphasizing that the Nigerian government is undermining the constitutional and international human rights of its citizens.
"Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests," the organization stated.
"The attempts to subject these minors to a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ demonstrate the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. Authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally.”
The detention of minors has been particularly disturbing for both local and international observers.
Amnesty International reports that in Katsina, at least 12 children under 16 were detained simply for being on the streets during the protests.
The organization warns that these children could be subjected to unfair trials based on dubious charges, a situation that risks inflicting lifelong trauma on them.
These children, some of whom may have only been present near the protests without active participation, now face the possibility of criminal records and continued incarceration.
Amnesty International argues that these actions not only violate Nigerian laws but also breach international human rights agreements that protect children from detention and criminal charges based on peaceful assembly.
Further fueling these concerns, Amnesty International highlighted that another group of 43 protesters, similarly accused of treason, faces prosecution in the same Abuja court.
The organization warns that the Nigerian government is escalating its crackdown on peaceful dissent through these “sham trials,” creating an environment where the freedom of expression is increasingly under siege.
In its statement, Amnesty International insisted that "the unlawful detention of these minors, subjecting them to traumatic experiences for exercising their right to peaceful protest, is unacceptable.
“The government must release all of them immediately and unconditionally.”
The condemnation by both SERAP and Amnesty International underscores the broader human rights challenges currently facing Nigeria.
Activists argue that the government's response to dissent has been excessive and repressive, rather than supportive of the democratic principles it purports to uphold.
Human rights advocates within Nigeria and internationally are concerned that the current trend could discourage public engagement in the political process, ultimately weakening Nigeria’s democracy.
The ongoing detention of minors in connection with the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests not only highlights the government’s approach to dissent but also raises questions about its commitment to human rights.
Observers contend that the government’s actions run counter to Nigeria’s own constitutional provisions, which guarantee freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to protest.
Both SERAP and Amnesty International are adamant that unless these charges are dropped and the detainees are freed, Nigeria risks perpetuating a culture of impunity and repression.
The appeal for the release of these detainees goes beyond the immediate issue of their freedom.
It is a call for Nigerian authorities to respect the rule of law, uphold democratic values, and commit to addressing the genuine concerns raised by its citizens.
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