#EndBadGovernance Protests: We Were Devastated – Minors’ Parents

Some of the parents of the released minors over the August 1, 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano and Kaduna States have narrated their ordeal during the period of their children’s detention by the police authorities in Abuja.

In separate interviews with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Kano and Kaduna where the minors hail from, the parents said they were devastated and could neither eat nor sleep for several days.

Some of them said they sold their property and engaged in menial jobs to raise money that lawyers demanded for the bail of their wards.

One of the parents, Malam Ibrahim Mado, the father of released Abdulraman Ibrahim, said when his son was arrested, he made all efforts at the police headquarters in Bompai Kano to secure his release but was unsuccessful.

Mado said he redoubled his efforts when they were transferred to Abuja and got no positive result.

According to him, his 16-year-old son was arrested when he was returning home from an errand.

He said after spending so much money as demanded by several individuals to secure his release, there was no impressive feedback until they were taken to court and he was informed of the payment of N10 million bail per child.

On how he felt for months while his son was detained, he said, “Mine is better because I am a man. His mother couldn’t sleep; she has emaciated. Right now, she is still sick as a result of thinking and crying so much; she would often say if it’s death, I will know where my son is. But as a man, since we can bear so many things, I always console her.

“We were asked to pay N10 million for each child to secure their freedom; God intervened through President Bola Tinubu who granted them pardon and asked that the kids be released. We are happy that they brought them back to Kano and we can’t wait to receive them,” he said.

Another parent, Amina Isa (mother), who was thankful to God for the release of her son, said he was arrested around Kofar Na’isa not long after he came back from his trading (hawking of phone cables and chargers) at about 2pm when the curfew was relaxed by the state government.

“His whereabouts was unknown to me. It was one of her relatives who is a lawyer that made an inquiry and discovered that he was taken to Bompai Police headquarters.

“For the length of time he was taken, I couldn’t eat or sleep because it was the same period his elder brother died.

“I lost my house in an effort to get a means to pay all the lawyers and Malams who will help us pray. I worked at a beans’ farm to raise money to travel to Abuja in order to secure his release and see him while I also give alms to children anywhere I go. I have lost so much weight and complexion,” she said.

She expressed happiness over his return alongside other kids, noting that, “Since the day we were informed they will arrive Kano, I was full of excitement till now and I have gained peace. Alhamdullilah!”

Mrs Isa thanked the state governor, their representatives and other politicians who played key roles in the release of their children and prayed for their progress and the state.

Another mother, Rabi ReminKibe, expressed happiness over the release of her 23-year-old son.

She said after being denied bail in Kano to Abuja, they were asked to get a lawyer as the case had been taken to court.

“We were worried and our eyes were swollen as a result of crying. It was terrible because we were thinking of the experiences they were going through; of not having to eat, no bathing or washing of clothes to wear and how they were mixing up with criminals. We got confused in-between whether they will return or not.

“But today is a joyous day; we are happy as we will reunite with them,” she said.

How We Fared In Prison, Police Cells – Victims

In their accounts, the boys who were pardoned by President Bola Tinubu for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest, said they saw hell during their detention in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

They spoke in separate interactions with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Kano and Kaduna after they were taken into their states by their governors.

Two of the minors, Aliyu Musa and Sadiq Sunusi, said they were arrested while on errands for their parents after the Kano State government lifted the curfew it imposed following the violent protest.

Among others, the protesters were accused of raising foreign flags during the riots and destroying public property such as police stations and a high court complex during the mayhem.

They explained the hardship they faced while in detention and how some of them were left hungry for several days.

On Friday, November 1, 76 suspects, including some minors, were arraigned by the inspector-general of police (IGP) on a 10-count charge of treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Tinubu.

Four of the minors, who looked malnourished, collapsed during court proceedings before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja

The teenagers said they were randomly arrested by police on the day the curfew was lifted and taken to the Kano Police headquarters at Bompai, from where they were moved to Abuja the next day.

On arrival in Abuja, they were detained briefly at the Force CID and moved to a place called Abattoir IRT where they spent three months.

Those who were above 10 – 12 years of age were moved to prison where they were kept for the rest of the period. The young ones said they were left behind in police detention without regular feeding, which made them slump in the court during their arraignment.

One of the minors, who identified himself as Ibrahim Aliyu Musa, said, “I was out to go to market when I was arrested. They claimed that we were arrested during the protest, but that was not true.

“I have nothing to do with the raising of any foreign flags. I was arrested around Sharada-Ja’in. We were arrested on August 6 and we spent three months and some days in detention. When we were arrested, the police placed charges against us.

“First, we were taken to a police station from where we were taken to the State Police Command Headquarters at Bompai where we spent one day.

“Later, we were then taken to Force CID in Abuja and to IRT. The place is called Abattoir SARS Cell where they kept us for one month.

“After one month, we were taken to the prison where we were remanded. Those who were about 10-12 years of age were left there (Abattoir) for three months. Those are the ones you see in their pictures and videos looking very unhealthy.

“The life there was very harsh. We that were arrested without anything were placed among hardened criminals. Those criminals are far older than us; they were not our mates.

“Yes, we were given food but it was very small. In the morning, they gave us beans and in the afternoon we were given garri. For three days, they gave us rice and for four days it was garri in the afternoon every week. Every night they gave us what they call ‘gabza’. Gabza is swallowed but it is softer.

“I am happy that I was released and I want to thank the Kano State governor that stood for us to the last moment and brought us back to Kano,” he said.

Another boy, Sadiq Sunusi said they were left for about 17 days without food at the police detention. He claimed that they were only assisted with crumbs by those in the cells.

He said, “My name is Sadiq Sunusi. We were taken to Abuja to a place called Abattoir. I was arrested at Gadon Kaya in Kano Municipal. I was sent on an errand from home when I was arrested.

“I was sent to buy some domestic items by my parents. It was during the arrest that I even dropped the money I was given to buy the goods.

“We suffered so much in detention; we spent 17 days without food at first. It was those in the cells that used to help us with crumbs to keep us alive.”

After they were freed, the Kano State government flew the 63 of them aboard Max Air on Tuesday night. They were accompanied by Governor Abba Yusuf and his team.

He promised to take care of their education and for those among them who were not in school, they would be provided with the start-up capital to do business.

They were taken to the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital in the metropolis where they were scheduled to spend five days for rehabilitation before they would be handed over to their parents.

In Kaduna State, one of the freed 39 protesters, Abubakar Umar, told LEADERSHIP Weekend when he reunited with his family that life in the prison was not pleasant but thanked God that he had been released.

Umar said, “I did not participate in the protest. I was passing around the protest area to the market when I was arrested by the police who were pursuing the protesters. The security agents did not listen to me and that was how I was sent to the prison. The prison is not a comfortable place. I thank Mr President for ordering our release.”

On his part, Sani Abdullahi said he participated in the protest but was not violent.

He said, “I only participated in the peaceful protest. I was not involved in any violent action. I was arrested after the protesters destroyed some government property. Many of those who turned violent ran away before the police came. I thank God for my freedom; it was not easy while in prison. I will not involve myself in any protest again but I appeal to the government to make things easy for Nigerians. I commend the Kaduna State government for taking care of us after our release in Abuja,” he said.

The Kaduna State governor, Uba Sanni, assured the pardoned protesters that his administration would empower them through employment and skills acquisition to realise their potential.

Governor Sani also charged them to be of good conduct going forward and avoid protests in the future.

They were thereafter given N100,000 each and phones to start a new life.

Opposition Reps’ Demand Prosecution Of Officials Behind Incident

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has lauded President Tinubu for the recent  release of the minors detained over #EndBadGovernance protest.

The opposition lawmakers commended Tinubu for being responsive to calls by Nigerians, and the international community over the fate of the young kids charged for terrorism, treason and arson by the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly participating in the protest.

The caucus made its position known in a statement jointly signed by the minority leader, Hon Kingsley Chinda; minority whip, Hon Ali Isa; deputy minority leader, Hon Aliyu Madaki and deputy minority whip, Hon George Ozodinobi.

They said Tinubu’s prompt directive, coming a few days after the arraignment of the children which led to the Attorney-General of the Federation seeking to assume control, and termination of the suit entirely was commendable.

The caucus, however, called for investigation, prosecution and discipline of individuals and government agencies involved in what they described as “the despicable, callous and inhuman action that has led to national disgrace and global condemnation.

“Anybody and any institution that played roles in the hounding of the children into cells for about 95 days when they should be at their respective schools, trades and vocations must be brought to book for necessary public umbrage and punitive measures discharged to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Conscious of the psychological trauma and health challenges the children may have experienced, we appeal that quality reformatory therapy sessions and medical support be advanced to them as they unite with their respective families.

“Also, we call for immediate reparation packages to the children and their families to ameliorate the untoward hardship, pain and emotional torture suffered during the period of unlawful incarceration.”