Abuja, Nigeria — Several underage protesters detained since August as part of the #EndBadGovernance movement collapsed in a Federal High Court on Friday.
The incident occurred when the minors were transported from various police detention facilities, including the Intelligence Response Team unit.
Witnesses reported that a number of the children fainted due to maltreatment and lack of food, with claims that authorities are using hunger as a form of punishment.
“They have eaten for some days,” a source told SaharaReporters, accusing officials of torturing the protesters for exercising their constitutional rights.
Images and videos from the courtroom showed the minors, some of whom have been held since August, writhing on the floor while others attempted to assist them.
Protesters One lawyer was seen trying to resuscitate a protester who collapsed while standing in the dock.
The detention was ordered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted police an ex-parte application to hold the protesters for 60 days as part of their investigation into accusations of attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
Reports indicate that 13 minors were brought from the IRT cells, while others came from various detention locations across Abuja. The Network of Abuja Left Groups called for the immediate release of all 76 detained protesters, including 32 minors, condemning the government’s actions as a suppression of dissent.
The coalition characterized the #EndBadGovernance protests as a united and peaceful response to Nigeria’s escalating economic distress and systemic failures affecting millions of citizens. They urged Nigerians to remain resilient in the face of rising living costs and ongoing governmental repression.