Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, says efforts are underway to improve the welfare of minors arrested over their alleged participation in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
There was chaos at a federal high court in Abuja on Friday after some of the minors collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.
They were later granted bail in the sum of N10 million each, while the prosecutor asked the judge to remove the names of those who collapsed from the charge.
In a statement, Olawande said the ministry is “engaging with the ministry of interior towards ascertaining the facts of the situation and improving the welfare of the young people being held, not just in relation to this case, but in custodial centres across the country”.
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“Please rest assured of the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding youth interests and the welfare of young Nigerians, wherever they may be,” the statement reads.
BACKGROUND
The nationwide protest against economic hardship and “bad governance” lasted from August 1–10.
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The protesters demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, a return to the petrol subsidy regime, food security, and fiscal discipline, among others.
The demonstration turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.
Following the protests, the police announced the arrest of alleged perpetrators in some states.
On September 2, 10 protesters were arraigned before Emeka Nwite, an Abuja federal high court judge.
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