#EndBadGovernance Protests: Tinubu Directs Probe, Immediate Release Of Minors
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all the children arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) during the #EndBadGoverncance Protests in August this year.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris who disclosed this while addressing the State House Correspondents on Monday in Abuja, revealed that Tinubu has also ordered an investigation into the conduct of the law enforcement officers involved.
Mr Idris announced that a committee would be set up to review the circumstances of their arrests and ensure accountability.
He said, “…deep enquiry and commentary about the fate or the situation regarding the minors that you saw towards the end of last week, the ones that had been arrested by the Nigerian police and are undergoing some legal processes.
“You also saw what happened in the court room, and as a result of that, Mr. President, because of his very deep commitment to democracy and the rule of law, has directed that some announcements be made.
“ I recall that I had a short briefing with Mr. President earlier this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police, without prejudice to whatever legal processes there are. All minors, the President has directed that all of them be released immediately.
“Secondly, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately see to the welfare of those minors, and also take part to ensure that they have a smooth reunion with their parents or guardians, wherever they are in the country.
“Thirdly, the President has directed that a committee will be set up immediately to be headed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, it’s actually an administrative committee, to look at all the issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally the release of these young minors.
“Fourthly, the President has also directed that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if there are any infractions found to have been committed by any government official, be it a law enforcement agency, or whoever that person may be, appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against him or her,” he said.
