Nigeria releases 29 children who face possible death penalty for alleged involvement in protests

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigerian authorities on Tuesday released 29 children who had been detained for more than two months and were facing a possible death penalty for allegedly taking part in protests against the country’s record-breaking cost of living crisis, following mounting calls for their release.

The children, aged 14 to 17, looked excited and full of life as they waved to the cameras after their release from a court in the capital Abuja, where they stood trial. It was a stark contrast to when they were first brought to court, appearing malnourished and shabbily dressed, with some collapsing from exhaustion.

They were among more than 70 people charged with destruction of property, mutiny and treason, punishable by the death penalty, after protests in August that rocked the country and culminated in security forces killing some demonstrators and arresting hundreds becomes.

Ado Abdullahi, whose two sons were among the detained minors, said they had never taken part in the protests in their home state of Kano and were running errands when they were arrested and taken to Abuja.

“The police just came and took them away,” Abdullahi told The Associated Press as he waited for them to return home after their release.

Another parent, Ikililu Sani, said his son Habibu was picking up his motorcycle from a workshop when he was arrested.

There was no news of the children’s detention until their arraignment, sparking outrage and renewed concerns about deteriorating human rights in Africa’s most populous country.

Under increasing pressure from activists, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Monday ordered their release and an investigation into law enforcement officials involved in the arrest and prosecution of the children.

Police had previously defended their actions, but said Monday evening that they had opened an investigation into allegations that the minors had been mistreated in custody.

Lawyers and activists called on the Nigerian government to take care of the children’s welfare and provide them with educational support. The release of the children is only “the first step in the right direction,” said Marshal Abubakar, one of their advisers.