Nigeria has charged 76 people, among them 30 minors, with treason and incitement to military coup as a result of their involvement in the violent protests in August against economic difficulties, according to court documents released on Friday.
During these protests in August, demonstrators took to the streets in Abuja, Lagos, and various other cities, expressing their frustration with economic reforms that have led to soaring inflation and heightened hardship for many Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu has promised to continue implementing these reforms, arguing they are essential for the country’s stability.
Amnesty International reported that at least 13 individuals were killed during confrontations with security forces on the first day of the protests.
A human rights organization indicated that the minors have been detained by Nigerian police since August for participating in protests against escalating insecurity and deprivation in the nation.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects were investigated between July and August.
A police spokesperson did not respond to inquiries regarding the detention of the minors.
The minors have been granted bail, and their case is scheduled to go to trial in January, as confirmed by their lawyers.
Currently, Nigerians are facing a significant cost-of-living crisis alongside widespread insecurity, which has severely impacted the agricultural sector, with armed groups kidnapping residents and schoolchildren for ransom in the northern regions.
