The Traffic

"Horror at the Courthouse: Atiku Slams Government Over Malnourished Child Protesters"

By Achimi Muktari

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Nigerian government’s handling of child protesters, expressing deep shock and outrage over the malnourished children recently arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja. These children, who were allegedly involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests earlier this year, were brought to court in disturbing physical conditions, prompting comparisons to the horrors of Nazi concentration camps.

In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, Atiku denounced the government's actions, calling them a grave violation of human rights and a stark indicator of the administration's disregard for the lives of the vulnerable—especially children.

"A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has been brought to my notice. The horrible scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, once again reflects the low premium the current government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children," Atiku said.

The former Vice President invoked Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees the dignity and protection of children from abuse and mistreatment. He emphasized that these children should not have been subjected to such inhumane conditions, let alone prosecution for exercising their right to peaceful protest.

Atiku continued, "The children are being prosecuted for their alleged role in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place between August 1 and August 10, 2024. If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanizing conditions they had been subjected to and have been detained all this while."

The #EndBadGovernance protests, which spread across Nigeria, were sparked by rising public dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, which critics say have led to widespread poverty and economic hardship. Children, in particular, were among the most vulnerable, suffering from the consequences of inflation, food insecurity, and poor access to basic services.

Atiku accused President Tinubu’s government of hypocrisy, noting that Tinubu himself had led protests during his political career, yet now demonizes young demonstrators.

"A man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonizes those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies. Children, who are the most affected by these policies, have every right to protest peacefully as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act," Atiku declared.

The former Vice President concluded his statement with a grim reflection on Nigeria's treatment of its most vulnerable citizens. He stressed that the brutal conditions under which these children were brought to court highlight the very reasons for their protest.

“A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness. The disturbing condition under which the alleged accused children were brought to court projects the very justification for their participation in the protest in the first place.”

Atiku’s comments have reignited the debate over the Nigerian government's handling of peaceful protests and the welfare of its citizens, especially children, who continue to bear the brunt of the nation’s economic and political challenges