STORY: Nigerian president orders release of minors arrested in recent protests
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 4, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 6, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:16
LOCATION: Abuja
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of minors in court
2. various of court proceedings
3. SOUNDBITE (English): MOHAMMED IDRIS, Minister of Information and National Orientation

STORYLINE:

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Monday ordered the unconditional release of dozens of minors allegedly arrested during recent hunger protests in the country, while calling for a probe into their detention.
   
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris told reporters in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, that the president's directive to the country's attorney-general took immediate effect, not minding the ongoing legal processes instituted against the young citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English): MOHAMMED IDRIS, Minister of Information and National Orientation
"Recall that I had a short briefing with Mr. President this evening and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police without prejudice to whatever legal processes there are. All minors, the president has directed that all of them be released immediately.
The president has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately see to the welfare of those minors, and also take part to ensure that they have smooth reunion with their parents or guardians, wherever they are in the country."
     
The minors, whose ages were below 18 years, according to local authorities, were arrested in the northern part of the country during the hunger protests across Nigeria in August and prosecuted for treason last week in Abuja.
   
Their arraignment sparked a nationwide debate after a local court gave strident bail conditions, including 10 million nairas (approximately 6,000 U.S. dollars) and two sureties for each of them.
   
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abuja.
(XHTV)