November 05, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, received a group of 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters, including 30 minors, at the State House Auditorium of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
THEWILL reports that President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, directed the immediate release of all minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance Protest in August.
Earlier on Tuesday, following the withdrawal of the charges against the protesters by the Federal Government, Justice Obiora Egwatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordered the release of the protesters held in detention after they were charged by the Police.
Receiving the freed protesters, Shettima said President Tinubu ordered the release on humanitarian grounds.
Noting some incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions of some of the protesters which were uploaded by the actors themselves, the Vice president lamented that the nation lost over N300 billion from the destruction and halting of economic activities orchestrated by the protesters.
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
“Regarding this evidence, the President as the father of the nation is giving these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.
“I would like to admonish you, young men not to allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property because over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business.
“I will urge you, I will advise you, you are our children, to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society.
“I will urge our governors and our elected representatives here, that cut across the political divide, what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides us. I will call on our two governors and our representatives into a single cause, and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the fabric of our communities”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice President has handed over the released minors to their State Governors. The governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, received the freed minors from his State, while Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, also received those from his State.
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