Some parents of minors detained over the August 1, 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano and Kaduna have shared their distressing experiences during their children’s detention in Abuja. In separate interviews with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the parents, speaking from Kano and Kaduna, described sleepless nights, the sale of personal belongings, and menial jobs they undertook to raise bail money,leadership reports.
Malam Ibrahim Mado, whose 16-year-old son Abdulraman was among those detained, said he tirelessly attempted to secure his son’s release but faced numerous setbacks. After Abdulraman was moved to Abuja, Mado said he spent large sums with little progress until the children were taken to court, where a bail of N10 million per child was requested. “My wife could barely sleep or eat. She kept saying she would rather know he was gone than wonder where he was,” he said, adding that President Tinubu’s intervention for their release was a huge relief.
Another parent, Amina Isa, shared that her son, arrested after returning from his street vending job, was detained without her knowledge for some time. “I was heartbroken; I couldn’t eat or sleep,” she said, revealing that she even worked on a bean farm to earn enough to travel to Abuja. Isa expressed joy and gratitude for her son’s return, adding that she had found peace since receiving news of their release.
ALSO READ: Japa: Resist temptation to abandon Nigeria, Fashola Tells Youths
Rabi ReminKibe, mother of a 23-year-old detainee, described her family’s struggle to secure legal help. She recounted, “We cried constantly, imagining the hardships he endured, like lack of food and unsanitary conditions.” The family’s relief was profound when their son finally returned home.
The minors, now pardoned by President Tinubu, described enduring severe hardships in detention. In their interviews, they spoke about unsanitary conditions, extended periods without food, and mixing with hardened criminals. Ibrahim Aliyu Musa, one of the minors, said he was on an errand when police detained him, despite having no involvement in the protests. Another minor, Sadiq Sunusi, described going 17 days without food, relying on crumbs from cellmates to survive.
After their release, the Kano State government flew 63 minors back to Kano, accompanied by Governor Abba Yusuf. Yusuf assured their education would be supported, while those not in school would receive start-up capital for business ventures. The minors were also given five days in a specialist hospital for rehabilitation.
In Kaduna, freed detainee Abubakar Umar, who was arrested en route to the market, expressed relief at his release, though he described the prison conditions as uncomfortable. Another former detainee, Sani Abdullahi, acknowledged his participation in a peaceful protest but denied involvement in any violence. He thanked the government for supporting them after their release.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani committed to helping the minors with job placements and skill training, urging them to avoid protests in the future. The state government provided each minor with N100,000 and a phone as part of their support.
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives praised President Tinubu for his swift response to release the minors. In a statement, the caucus urged for an investigation into the detention incident, calling for accountability among officials responsible. They also recommended counseling and medical care for the minors and requested reparations to help ease the trauma they and their families endured.
