Nigeria’s president has ordered the immediate release of a group of youths accused of treason after images of some of them collapsing in court sparked outrage.
The 27 teenagers – among 76 suspects held for months after their arrest during anti-government protests – are aged between 14 and 18.
Bola Tinubu ordered officials to release them after four collapsed during their first court appearance on Friday, apparently due to malnutrition.
Viral videos showing them writhing in pain before being taken for medical treatment sparked renewed debate over their treatment by authorities in Nigeria, as well as the length of their detention.
The suspects had been in custody for almost three months after taking part in the #EndBadGovernance protests that swept the country in August amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis.
The demonstrations turned violent in some places as demonstrators clashed with security forces.
Police say seven people have been killed, although rights groups put the death toll at 23. Nearly 700 people were arrested.
Some of those present in the court in the capital Abuja on Friday were accused of flying Russian flags and plotting to overthrow the Nigerian government.
On Monday, President Tinbula’s spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said in a statement that it was his wish that the release of the children would not prejudice the ongoing legal action.
Reuters reported, citing Information Minister Mohammed Idris, that treason charges against the children had been dropped.
Mr Onanuga said Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs had been asked “to ensure the safe return of all minors to their families while an investigation has been opened into the circumstances that led to their prolonged detention”.
When the images emerged in court, Nigerian rights group Enough is Enough said they were victims of “institutional child abuse”.
Amnesty International described the children’s detention as “one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly” to date.
