The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has observed with dismay that a number of Nigerians, sadly minors below the age of 18, have been detained for over 90 days before their arraignment in an Abuja High Court on Friday for exercising their constitutional rights in a protest against hunger and bad governance.
It was learnt that at least four of the children collapsed in the court room during the arraignment as a result of hunger and absence of medical care while in custody.
In a statement in Abuja on Saturday by Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, its national coordinator, the coalition said, “Unfortunately, the detention and arraignment of those frail, malnourished and hapless children have exposed the government as a desperate entity that is determined to de-market and embarrass Nigeria before the international community while presenting its credentials for medals in gross inhumanity.
“The continued detention and mistreatment of these minors is a gross violation of their basic rights, including the right to freedom of expression and assembly. CNG therefore strongly condemns this abuse of power and the blatant disregard for the welfare and dignity of young citizens.
” It said the treatment those children were receiving highlights a troubling failure of state actors to prioritize the welfare and rights of its most vulnerable citizens, children, especially when their ‘crime’ was to demand better governance and accountability.
“It is disheartening that in a country with a history of resilience and promise, minors are being made to endure starvation and harsh conditions while awaiting trial for daring to speak up for their future. This is not only a violation of domestic law but also contravenes international human rights principles protecting children from harm and unlawful detention.
“Ideally, those children are supposed to be treated first as victims of state abuse and deprivation whose leaders have failed to provide the necessary leadership that can mould them into better members of the society as they are a direct outcome of our decayed system,” it said.
CNG said it is despicable that criminals and bandits that are holding the entire country to ransom do not face such stringent consequences for their actions.
“Evidently, the government has consistently proved that people’s problems and deteriorating situations are not part of its priority because of its disregard for the daily hardships of its citizens. Increasingly, frequent blackouts have become a norm across the country, severely impacting homes, businesses and essential services which became worse with the recent blackout,” it said.
It also said the elimination of fuel subsidies and constant raising of fuel prices have pushed the cost of living to record highs, making basic necessities harder to afford.
“Instead of prioritising the welfare of the populace by providing feasible alternatives, government’s priorities appear to be crushing vulnerable children that need support and protection to grow into responsible adults.
“Unfortunately, hunger and starvation have become weapons against defenseless and malnourished teenagers. It is clear that the government’s neglect of essential services and its catastrophic economic policies have strangulated millions in a state of uncertainty, desperation and disillusionment in which these minors belong. These children must not be targeted as the scapegoat for expressing their frustrations as Nigerians have never gone through such dehumanizing and cruel policies like this before,” It said.
CNG therefore calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all minors detained for participating in the protests.
