By Mabel Adinya Ade
Recent images and reports of young, frail, malnourished Nigerian children being detained and brought before adult courts for participating in peaceful protests against bad governance are a searing reminder of the state’s responsibility towards its citizens, especially its most vulnerable. These are not the actions of rebels or criminals; these children are simply exercising their constitutional rights in a plea to bring light to their plight. Instead of being heard, they face an unimaginable response detained, humiliated, and denied the dignity every human being deserves.
This shocking treatment is an affront to Universal Human Rights, Nigerian Constitutional values, and indeed, our cultural ethos that places a high premium on the well-being of children. For a government to subject children to such conditions behind bars and in adult courts begs the question: Are we no longer bound by our duty to protect and nurture the young? Our constitution is clear: every Nigerian, regardless of age, has the right to be heard, respected, and treated with dignity. When young citizens are bold enough to peacefully raise their voices against the injustices affecting their lives, this act of bravery should be met with commendation, not brutalization.
Children Are Being Failed by Their Government
Witnessing children collapse from hunger and deprivation as they stand before the courts is a glaring reflection of the challenges facing the nation today. These children should be in school, with access to shelter, healthcare, and food. Instead, they are left on the fringes, denied basic needs, and now criminalized for expressing their desperation. The Nigerian government has a solemn duty to ensure the welfare of these children, a responsibility that should compel every public servant to address these grievances, not silence them through detention.
It is impossible to separate the challenges facing these young people from the broader crisis in Nigeria. Our nation is plagued by ongoing insurgencies in the North Central, North East, and North West regions, widespread food insecurity, and unprecedented levels of inflation and economic instability. The devaluation of the Naira has left many families struggling to afford basic necessities, and social security and protections are but a distant dream for the majority. This harsh economic climate has pushed millions to the brink, leaving children innocent and deserving of our care without the resources needed to survive, let alone thrive.
The Rising Tide of Despair Among Our Youth
These children, facing neglect and abuse in the hands of those meant to protect them, are also growing up in a world where the dangers of kidnapping, human trafficking, and violence lurk around every corner. The economic situation is strangling opportunities, forcing many into drug addiction, internet fraud, ritual killings, and suicide. When a society fails its young, despair sets in. And when young people lose hope in their future, it is the entire nation that suffers.
Instead of further traumatizing these children by exposing them to the harsh realities of detention and adult courtrooms, we should be listening to their voices and addressing their concerns. Are our judicial systems no longer advocates for justice and protection? Nigerian law provides for family courts precisely to protect minors from the harmful impacts of adult judicial processes. Yet, here we are, allowing children to be tried as though they were adults stripping them of their innocence, subjecting them to psychological trauma, and effectively branding them as outcasts.
The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act: An Essential Shield at Risk
The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act is a critical shield for Nigeria’s vulnerable populations. It protects children, women, and other marginalized groups from physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Recognizing and enforcing this law is vital. It prohibits acts that would expose young protesters to harm, degradation, or any form of violence, especially at the hands of those entrusted with their protection.
Imagine the repercussions if this law were repealed or disregarded. Without the VAPP Act, cases of abuse, harassment, and violence would spiral further, unchecked. Children, like those peacefully protesting, would lose any legal recourse against the very authorities failing them now. Without VAPP’s protections, children could be detained without appropriate safeguards, exposing them to trauma that can last a lifetime. This would undermine any remaining trust in the system and deepen the cycle of disillusionment already rampant among young Nigerians.
The enforcement of the VAPP Act isn’t a luxury; it is a necessity. It is a legal instrument that provides a safety net for Nigeria’s most vulnerable. The government must not only uphold but strengthen its implementation to protect children from the kinds of abuses we see today. Repealing it or diminishing its importance would be a catastrophic reversal, sending a message that Nigerian vulnerable/children’s lives, safety, and dignity are expendable.
The Government’s Role in Restoring Trust and Hope
Our leaders must ask themselves: if these children were their own, would they accept this treatment? The answer is undoubtedly no. So why, then, is it acceptable for these young citizens? We call on the Nigerian government to recognize this as a moment to prioritize the welfare and rights of our children. We must listen to their voices, which are a reflection of the growing disillusionment in our country Nigeria.
Inaction will only deepen the sense of betrayal that many young Nigerians feel towards their leaders. Instead, we urge the government to consider the following advocacy actions:
1. Immediate Release and Rehabilitation: The detained children should be released immediately and provided with care to address the physical and emotional harm caused by their detention. Rehabilitation and support services must be made available to help them heal.
2. Commitment to Dialogue: The government should initiate platforms for youth voices, especially those marginalized by poverty and instability, to express their concerns constructively without fear of arrest and detention.
3. Strengthen Family Courts: The judicial system must adhere to the standards for handling cases involving minors, ensuring they are directed to family courts where they can receive the care and protection they need.
4. Strengthen Social Protection Programmes: It is vital to provide social safety nets for the most vulnerable, ensuring that children have access to food, education, healthcare, and a safe environment.
5. Invest in Mental Health and Counselling for young people: We must expand mental health resources to address the growing crisis among our young people, providing avenues for healthy expression and support.
6. Prioritize Enforcement of the VAPP and Child’s Right Acts: The government must reaffirm its commitment to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and Child’s Right Act, enhancing enforcement to protect the rights and dignity of children and other vulnerable groups from all forms of violence.
7. Hold Leaders Accountable for Children’s Rights Violations: We call on the international community to hold Nigeria accountable to its commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights frameworks.
To the Nigerian Government and International Community
This is a plea, not only from Mabel and concerned citizens but from young voices crying out for justice, dignity, and compassion. Detaining children for peacefully protesting is an international embarrassment, a violation of their rights, and a betrayal of the trust they place in us as their protectors. Every child in Nigeria deserves a future filled with hope, not trauma. Our country has the capacity to create a brighter, more compassionate Nigeria; one where young people can look to their leaders with respect rather than despair.
The time to act is now. Let us release these children, address their grievances, and commit to creating a Nigeria that honours the dreams, rights, and dignity of all its citizens, especially the most vulnerable among us.
Mabel Adinya Ade
Executive Director,
Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
mabeladetar@gmail.com
