On Tuesday night, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf pledged to rehabilitate the minors who had been released and provide support for their education.
He also mentioned that he was unaware of the minors' arrest until their appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Yusuf visited the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, where a team of medical professionals was tasked with assessing the physical and mental health of the 76 minors who had been released.
“Upon learning of the incident, I promptly directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to take charge of the case,” The governor said.
Furthermore, Yusuf expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, recognizing his compassionate gesture towards the children.
“I also extend my gratitude to everyone involved in ensuring the minors’ safe return.
According to the governor: “I commend the parents for their fervent prayers and their maturity throughout this challenging period, both during and after the release of the affected minors. Their composure and resilience are truly admirable.”
Yusuf stated certainly that his administration would make every effort to reunite the children with their families and provide them with the necessary support to pursue small-scale businesses.
He, however, emphasized the crucial role of education, ensuring the children would return to school to contribute to the state's growth and development.
The governor also pledged that the state government would take steps to reintegrate the minors, who had been arrested in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protest.
“I will ensure that these children get a second chance at a normal life by enrolling them in local schools and providing opportunities for their rehabilitation and personal growth.
“This compassionate gesture acknowledges that their actions, although regrettable, shouldn’t define their future,” Yusuf said.
Meanwhile, upon their return to the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital in Kano on Tuesday night, the minors recounted the severe conditions they had endured, often going days without proper food or sunlight.
A 15-year-old detainee, Umar Ali, shared his experience, revealing the harsh treatment they faced, saying: “We suffered greatly in detention. Sometimes we went up to three days without food, and when food was available, it was barely enough to sustain us.”
Ali explained that he was arrested while heading to the market for casual work, stressing that he had no involvement in any protest. He added that the prolonged period without exposure to sunlight had affected their vision.
“We rarely saw sunlight in our holding area, which is why some of us struggled to see clearly when we appeared in court.”
He urged young people to steer clear of participating in any form of protest, recounting the brutal treatment they endured despite his lack of involvement.
On the other hand, another detainee, 16-year-old Ibrahim Aliyu Musa, shared the trauma of being held alongside hardened criminals and often going without enough food.
“They served us beans in the morning, rice for lunch, and gabza for dinner. Gabza is a type of tuwo made from unwashed corn, known as ‘from sack to pot’ due to its crude preparation,” Musa narrated.
Another 13-year-old boy detained in Gadon Kaya, Gwale Local Government Area, recounted how he was falsely accused of waving the Russian flag.
“I was arrested on August 15 and taken to Abuja the next day, where we were held at the Abattoir SARS facility, mixed with criminals,” he stated.
Furthermore, the minors thanked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his intervention and support. They urged other youths to be cautious and avoid actions that could threaten their futures, advising against participating in protests.
The detainees are presently receiving medical attention at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, where they are under observation. They are expected to stay for four to five days before being reunited with their families.
