Detained minors lament ordeal in custody, urge youths to shun protests

Several minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protest have shared their harrowing experiences after two months in custody in Abuja, recounting periods of isolation and enduring extended spells without food.

Speaking to PUNCH at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital in Kano upon their return on Tuesday night, the minors described the extreme conditions they endured, often spending days without adequate food or sunlight.

A 15-year-old detainee, Umar Ali, disclosed the harsh conditions, saying, “We suffered greatly in detention. Sometimes we went up to three days without food, and when food was available, it was barely enough to sustain us.”

Ali shared that he was arrested while on his way to the market for menial work, insisting he had no involvement in any protest. He explained that the extended time without sunlight had impaired their vision.

“We rarely saw sunlight in our holding area, which is why some of us struggled to see clearly when we appeared in court,” he added.

He urged young people to avoid participating in any form of protest, recounting the severe treatment they endured despite his lack of involvement.

Another detainee, 16-year-old Ibrahim Aliyu Musa, revealed the trauma of being held alongside hardened criminals and frequently going without adequate food.

“They served us beans in the morning, rice for lunch, and gabza for dinner. Gabza is a type of tuwo made from unwashed corn, known as ‘from sack to pot’ due to its crude preparation,” Musa explained.

A 13-year-old boy detained in Gadon Kaya, Gwale Local Government Area, shared how he was wrongfully accused of waving the Russian flag.

“I was arrested on August 15 and taken to Abuja the next day, where we were held at the Abattoir SARS facility, mixed with criminals,” he said.

The minors expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his intervention and support. They cautioned other youths against actions that might endanger their futures, advising against involvement in protests.

The detainees are currently receiving medical care at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, where they are under observation. They are expected to remain there for four to five days before reuniting with their families.