A recent report has revealed that several underage #EndBadGovernance protesters who were granted bail under strict conditions have been hospitalized at an undisclosed location, raising significant concerns about their treatment while in custody.
According to information gathered by Sahara Reporters, these minors were detained by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) within adult facilities at the Intelligence Response Team unit in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory. This situation has drawn criticism from various human rights advocates and organizations, who highlight the inappropriateness of housing minors in such environments.
Sources who spoke with the aforementioned publication claimed that the total number of youngsters who were granted bail on stringent terms by Justice Obiora Egwuatu is 24, but approximately 20 of them have since been hospitalized due to the adverse conditions they endured while detained, according to these sources.
Reports indicate that the malnourished underage detainees were reportedly rejected by Kuje Prison, and a significant number of them have fallen ill as a result of being kept in facilities intended for adults. This has raised alarms about their health and safety, prompting calls for urgent intervention.
“Twenty of the underage detainees have been hospitalized in Abuja after the police detained them in facilities for adults,” one of the sources shared, shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by these young individuals.
Furthermore, leaders of the Take It Back Movement have expressed deep concern regarding the treatment of the detained minors. They reported that when they sent a delegation on Sunday to provide food and clothes, they were informed that only six of the minors were available for assistance, as the police claimed that the others were malnourished, sick, and had been hospitalized due to their conditions.
These minors have been held for over 90 days and are facing serious treasonous charges for their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests that occurred in August. This prolonged detention has ignited widespread condemnation from various sectors of society, particularly against the government led by President Bola Tinubu, with many denouncing the harsh treatment and ongoing detention of minors in this case.