BY AKUDORO GLORIA
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to swiftly review the case of 52 detained children arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano and Kaduna states.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, disclosed this on the eve of Saturday during her visit to the detention facility where she engaged directly with the children and offered comfort.
Demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of these children, the Minister engaged authorities to ensure the children are receiving appropriate care and that their rights are being safeguarded.
“Public concern about the treatment, safety, and rights of these detained children is duly acknowledged, and the Ministry is taking active steps to address these issues,”
“Communications are underway with relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and correctional institutions, to ensure that these children’s cases are expedited and heard in juvenile courts as mandated by law.
“Active monitoring of their welfare is ongoing, and the Ministry is collaborating with child rights advocates to ensure no child suffers undue harm, discrimination, or maltreatment.
“To further address the public’s concerns, the President has directed the Attorney General of the Federation to review the cases of these minors swiftly. The Ministry is confident that justice will prevail, in alignment with Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law and the principles of child protection,” said the Minister.
Ensuring the rights of every child is paramount, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, and international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory, the Minister noted that every child, regardless of circumstance, is entitled to protection, dignity, and a fair judicial process under the law.
She promised that plans are in place to work closely with child protection services to provide post-release psychological counseling, social support, and rehabilitation to facilitate these children’s reintegration into their communities.
Suleiman-Ibrahim expressed the Ministry’s dedication in collaborating with stakeholders to explore educational opportunities for the children to support their growth and well-being beyond this challenging experience.
She noted that plan is underway to adopting a Whole-of-Society Approach (WoSA) to address juvenile delinquency.
“Through collaborative efforts with all relevant stakeholders, the goal is to strengthen existing systems and structures, with a focus on reforming the juvenile justice system. Key initiatives will include revising laws to address juvenile delinquency and fostering multi-sectoral engagement to empower communities and authorities to prevent juvenile delinquency across Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Women Affairs assures all concerned citizens that it will continue to advocate for the rights of these children and work tirelessly to secure a just outcome. Protecting the rights of all children remains a priority, and every effort will be made to guarantee their safety, welfare, and justice,” the Minister affirmed.
