A disturbing video depicting malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court has sparked outrage, drawing parallels to historical injustices and highlighting the government’s disregard for the welfare of vulnerable populations.
In a statement issued on Friday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election criticised the administration’s actions as indicative of a broader systemic inhumanity.
He emphasised that the treatment of these children is a blatant violation of their rights and dignity as enshrined in the Child’s Rights Act.
The Child’s Rights Act explicitly states that every child is entitled to respect for their dignity, prohibiting physical, mental, or emotional abuse. According to Atiku, the prosecution of these children, allegedly involved in protests that occurred between August 1 and August 10, 2024—reveals not only a lack of empathy but also a failure to uphold the law intended to protect the nation’s youth.
“The horrific scene we witnessed, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, underscores the low value this government places on the lives of our most vulnerable citizens,” Atiku stated.
“It is abhorrent that children are being criminalised for expressing their discontent with policies that have directly impacted their lives.”
The former vice president further criticised the timing of the arraignment, which occurred three months after the protests, raising concerns about the conditions these children have endured while in detention.
He questioned the morality of an administration that claims to uphold democracy yet punishes its youngest and most innocent members for exercising their constitutional right to protest.
“The very conditions under which these children were brought to court exemplify the injustices they were protesting against in the first place,” he added.
“A nation is truly measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, and it is a tragedy that our children are not spared from the cruelty of this administration.”
The #EndBadGovernance protests were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, which many citizens view as harsh and draconian.
Atiku underscored the importance of allowing peaceful protests as a means of expressing grievances, especially for those directly affected by such policies.
The former Vice President concluded his statement by calling for an immediate review of the cases against the detained children and for the government to uphold the principles of justice and human dignity.
“We must stand together to protect our children and ensure that their voices are heard, rather than silenced by an oppressive regime.”