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

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities released Tuesday 29 children They have been jailed for more than two months and could face the death penalty for allegedly taking part in protests against the country’s record-breaking cost of living crisis, after growing 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 were being tried. It was a stark contrast to when they were first brought into court malnourished and shabbily dressed, some collapsing from exhaustion.

They were among more than 70 people facing charges of destruction of property, mutiny and treason, which carries the death penalty, after protests in August that rocked the country and culminated in security clashes some protesters killed and hundreds arrested.

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 the charges were filed, sparking outrage and new concerns Deterioration of human rights in Africa’s most populous country.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is under increasing pressure from activists ordered their release on Monday and ordered an investigation into the law enforcement officers 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.