#Endbadgovernment protest: RULAAC demands unconditional release of children accused of treason for carrying Russian flag

Stanley Ihedigbo

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has demanded the unconditional release of the children accused of treason for carrying the Russian flag.

According to the Executive Director, RULAAC, Com. Okechukwu Nwanguma demands justice and immediate release for these children.

“It’s essential to hold authorities accountable for ensuring the welfare and safety of all children in Nigeria. The situation with the underage children fainting in court due to hunger and illness is heartbreaking and unacceptable. It’s shocking to learn that these children have been in detention since August, allegedly for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest, and are being arraigned in Abuja despite being caught in Kano, Kaduna, and Zaria.

“If it is confirmed, the claim that one of the minors was listed as 15 years old on the charge sheet but claims to be only 8 years old raises serious concerns about the handling of this case. The authorities must ensure the welfare and safety of these children, particularly considering their vulnerability.

“Nigeria has laws and policies in place to protect children, including the Child Rights Act 2003, which defines a child as anyone under 18 years old and emphasizes the best interest of the child in all actions. However, the implementation of these laws seems to be lacking,” he stressed.

The Human Rights Activist noted that child protection efforts in Nigeria don’t seem to have yielded the desired result.

“United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) child protection programme works to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, and exploitation of children through strengthened child protection systems. National guidelines for alternative care of children provides a regulatory framework for standardized services for vulnerable children.

“The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act sanctions violence against children in all its forms. Despite these potentially remedial efforts, impacts are not felt. More needs to be done to address the systemic issues leading to child abuse and neglect. Establishing a dedicated Child Protection Agency could help address these concerns.

“The separation of UN Women and UNICEF by the UN was a wise decision, allowing for focused attention on children’s welfare. Nigeria’s Women’s Affairs ministries must intensify their efforts to sadetainingchildren’s rights,” he stated.