In a recent appeal, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have called on President Bola Tinubu to release all minors and others who were detained for participating in Nigeria’s August 2024 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. These protests, led by Nigerian youth, highlighted their frustration over issues like economic hardship, hunger, and ongoing governance challenges.

Following the protests, Nigerian security forces detained many demonstrators, with 76 individuals appearing in court. During the court proceedings, reports indicated that a minor among the detainees collapsed, underscoring the severe toll the detentions are taking on young protesters.

SERAP took to social media to denounce the arrests, insisting that the government release all protesters and drop the felony charges against them. SERAP warned that such actions only serve to create fear, stifle criticism, and restrict Nigerians’ basic rights, including their right to peaceful protest.

Amnesty International also strongly condemned the detention of minors, urging Nigerian authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of speech and assembly. The organization described the charges as an attempt to sidestep the rule of law, calling for an immediate, unconditional release of all individuals held over the protests.

Both SERAP and Amnesty International stress that peaceful protest is a fundamental human right and that participants should not be penalized for exercising it. They also warn that they are prepared to take further legal action to protect the rights of those unjustly detained.