Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, expressed deep concern on Friday regarding viral footage showing malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court.
In a statement from his media team and a post on his official X account, Atiku condemned the conditions and treatment of the young detainees.
According to The PUNCH, at least 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters were presented before Justice Obiora Egwuatum for arraignment.
They were detained during nationwide protests held from August 1 to 10, which were ignited by widespread economic hardship affecting Nigerians.
Among the charges, the protesters face allegations of treason.
Reports indicated that four of the detained minors, visibly weak, were swiftly removed from the courtroom after struggling to stand.
Reacting to this, Atiku drew parallels between the children’s plight and “infamous Nazi concentration camps,” describing the situation as a stark violation of Section 11 of the Child Rights Act, which prohibits physical, mental, or emotional abuse, torture, and inhumane treatment of children.
Atiku commented, “If they are only now being arraigned three months later, it’s horrifying to imagine the dehumanizing conditions they endured in detention.”
He criticized those in authority, highlighting the irony of leaders who once advocated for democratic rights now prosecuting those protesting harsh policies.
“Children, the most affected by these policies, have every right to peaceful protest under the Constitution and the Child Rights Act,” he said.
Atiku added, “A nation’s character is judged by its treatment of its most vulnerable.
The distressing condition of these children in court underscores the very reasons for their participation in the protests.”
