The Nigerian government on Tuesday officially handed over 119 freed minors in detention over their involvement in the August 1-10 end bad governance protests in some parts of the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima officially handed over the released minors on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State and his Kaduna State counterpart, Uba Sani.
In his remark, the Vice President said: “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspects on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of their perpetration and actions; some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
“Regarding the evidence against them, the President, as the father of the nation, has decided to give these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.”
Future Leaders
He also had some words of advice for the released suspects, whom he said have a lot to contribute to nation-building in future.
“I would like to admonish you, young men, to not allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property. Over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business.
“I will urge you, I will advise you as our children to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society,” he said.
The Vice President also urged the Governors of the two States that received the released minors to ensure they reintegrate them into the society.
“I will urge our Governors and our elected representatives here to cut across political divides what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides. I will call our two Governors and our Representatives into a single cause, and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the fabric of our communities,” he added.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, had earlier informed the Vice President that the Ministry swung into action on Monday, as directed by the President, as they collaborated with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“We worked with the Ministry of Justice through the Director of Public Prosecution to give us the details of the people that were released to us and we have this data, which we are handing over to the State Governors so that they can track them and ensure that all of them are taken care of,” he said.
The Minister revealed that the minors were checked by physicians who certified that all of them were in good condition of health.
Both Governors Kabir Yusuf and Uba Sani appreciated President Tinubu for his show of magnanimity.
They assured the Vice President that the minors would be taken care of by ensuring that they either go to school or adopt chosen vocations in which they have skills.
The released 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters who were earlier arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force and discharged by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, arrived at the presidential villa around 13:00 GMT.
Justice Obiora Egwatu had earlier struck out the case against the protesters as requested by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), led by the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Lantana Nasir
Comments are closed.