Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has ordered the release of minors detained for participating in August protests against rising living costs, with charges of treason being dropped. This decision follows public outrage regarding their treatment and the broader context of economic hardship fueling protests throughout the country.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has mandated the immediate release of all minors who were charged with treason and inciting a military coup after participating in protests against rising living costs in August. Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced that the president’s directive includes dropping all charges against the detained children. This decision follows public outcry regarding the treatment of these minors, who were paraded in court, igniting significant criticism towards the government’s handling of protests that centered on escalating economic hardships affecting the population.

The protests in Nigeria arose from a deepening cost-of-living crisis, exacerbated by inflation and widespread economic reforms perceived as detrimental to the populace. For several months, citizens have taken to the streets, particularly in major cities like Abuja and Lagos, demanding improvements in living conditions and job opportunities. The situation was further complicated by the violent response of security forces, which results in casualties among demonstrators, as reported by Amnesty International.

In summary, President Tinubu’s decision to release the detained minors reflects a response to public pressure and criticism regarding the government’s approach to demonstrations against economic challenges. This incident is part of a larger narrative wherein citizens express their frustrations over increasing living costs and security issues, indicating a critical moment for governance and social stability in Nigeria.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com