Minors Describe Harsh Conditions in Custody After Release by President Tinubu

Following their release ordered by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, several minors aged 14 to 17, who were detained during the August #EndBadGovernance protests, have shared disturbing accounts of their experiences in custody.

The #EndBadGovernance protests erupted across Nigeria earlier this year as citizens voiced frustrations over economic hardships. AFRIPOST reports that the minors, from Kano, Kaduna, and other northern states, are now receiving medical care at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, where dedicated healthcare teams are assessing and treating them.

In conversations with Punch, some of these minors described harsh conditions during their detention. Umar Ali, a 15-year-old detainee, recounted, “It was terrible; sometimes we went without food for days, and when food did come, it was barely enough.” Ali, who claimed he wasn’t involved in the protest, said he was detained on his way to the market in Kwana Hudu, Ungoggo Local Government Area, where he does occasional work. He added that his eyesight was affected due to the lack of sunlight in detention, making it difficult to see clearly when he appeared in court.

Another minor, Ibrahim Aliyu Musa, reported being transferred from Kano to Abuja soon after his arrest and placed in a cell with hardened criminals. He described the poor food quality, stating they received only small portions: beans in the morning, rice at noon, and Gabza for dinner.

A 13-year-old detainee shared a similar account, saying he was arrested in Gadon Kaya, Gwale Local Government Area, on accusations of displaying a Russian flag, which he denied. “I was detained at Abattoir SARS in Abuja the day after my arrest and placed with serious offenders the entire time,” he explained.

However, the Nigeria Police Force denied any allegations of mistreatment. Speaking to Punch on Wednesday, Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi insisted that the minors were not mistreated or placed with hardened criminals, dismissing such accounts as false attempts to tarnish the police’s credibility.