The recent arraignment of underage protesters before the Abuja High Court on Friday sparked widespread concern among Nigerians and human rights activists, both at home and internationally.
Arewa PUNCH reports that as a result, many observers of the situation expressed outrage and disappointment over the treatment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protest held nationwide in August this year.
The #EndBadGovernance protest was a nationwide movement calling for improved governance and accountability. The protests led to the arrest of hundreds of individuals, including minors, across various states.
Our correspondent recalls that several critics argued that the arraignment violates children’s rights and undermines the country’s commitment to peaceful protests as human rights organisations and concerned citizens sustained the call for the release of the underage protesters and demanded greater accountability from the authorities.
On this note, governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State urged the North to take action regarding the children arrested for participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
Arewa PUNCH learnt that this call to action came after concerns were raised about the ill-treatment of the underage protesters.
Our correspondent further reports that while Jigawa state was among the states in the North that took part in the protests, yet, no underage protesters from the state were among those arraigned in any court in the land over the protests.
While responding to a question by Arewa PUNCH, the Chief Press Secretary to Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, Mr. Hamisu Muhammad Gumel said, no underage protesters from Jigawa State were arraigned in court.
Mr. Gumel confirmed that none of the protesters from Jigawa were among those paraded in Abuja.
However, he declined to respond on what the Jigawa state government would have done in line with the call by Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State.
Earlier, on his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Bello Fanini, had echoed a similar statement during a press briefing in mid-October.
According to him, “Even as of mid-September, there were no protesters, including minors, in police or prison custody within or outside the state.
“The Jigawa State Ministry of Justice has achieved significant successes in prosecuting the over 403 individuals arrested in connection with the August 1, 2024 riot,” he concluded in his statement.
Additionally, Shiisu Lawan Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa Police Command, when contacted by our correspondent confirmed that no underage protesters was arrested during the nationwide protests in Jigawa state.
The PPRO noted that Jigawa State did not experience the incident where youths were seen carrying Russian flags as it occurred in some other states.
Arewa PUNCH further reports that the #EndBadGovernance protest has brought attention from all corners in Jigawa State to critical issues affecting Nigeria as a country, particularly with the latest Governor Bala Mohammed’s call to action, emphasising the importance of safeguarding north, children’s rights and ensuring their protection.