KADUNA/Nigeria: The National Youth Alliance (NYA) has voiced its alarm over what it describes as persecution and unjust treatment of young Nigerians detained for participating in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. According to NYA President, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, dozens of youth, including minors, have faced severe hardship and denial of basic rights while under government custody.
In a statement issued by his Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Abbas criticised the court’s stringent bail conditions for the detained youths. “In a decision that has sparked widespread condemnation, Justice Obiora Egwuatu set bail at an overwhelming N10 million per individual. Each detainee is required to provide two sureties: one a civil servant of grade level 15 or higher with a verified address within the court’s jurisdiction, and the other a parent of the accused,” the statement read. “These conditions are, frankly, unrealistic and discriminatory, especially for ordinary citizens exercising their right to peacefully demand change.”
The NYA contends that these prohibitive bail requirements appear designed to discourage civic engagement, noting the financial and emotional toll on the families of those detained. “This onerous bail not only aims to financially cripple families but also serves as a calculated deterrent to youth participation in civil discourse,” Abbas said.
In an unsettling development, several of the minors detained experienced serious health issues in court, with some reportedly fainting from malnutrition and mistreatment. Witnesses in the courtroom described the tragic scene as lawyers rushed to assist the young detainees, who appeared visibly weak and undernourished. It was reported that these minors had gone days without proper meals, raising serious concerns about their treatment in custody.
“This deplorable treatment of minors—some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens—is unconscionable. The government and judicial system appear to be prioritising punitive measures over human rights and basic decency,” said Abbas, condemning the situation as an affront to Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law. “The fainting of minors in court should serve as a stark reminder to authorities that their policies are not only unjust but inhumane.”
In response, the government temporarily withdrew charges against five detained minors amid growing health concerns. NYA, however, insists that this is insufficient, calling for the immediate release of all protesters, especially the minors. The group has demanded comprehensive reforms to protect young Nigerians’ rights and an investigation into the detainees’ treatment, ensuring that responsible officials are held to account.
“Our youth deserve a government that listens, respects, and responds to their voices—not one that intimidates them into silence through financial hardship and fear,” the NYA declared. “We stand firmly with these detained youths and their families, and we will continue to push for justice, accountability, and meaningful change.”
The Alliance further urged the government to address the underlying issues fuelling youth discontent, stating that repression of peaceful protest poses a grave risk to Nigeria’s democratic principles. “Civic engagement is a right, not a crime. The government’s actions here threaten to erode the democratic fabric of our nation and send a dangerous message that voices for change will face harsh retribution,” Abbas concluded.
The NYA called on Nigerians to support the detained youths and reaffirmed its commitment to stand against policies that infringe upon the rights and freedoms of the country’s young citizens.
