It is nothing short of infuriating to witness the Nigerian Police stoop so low as to arraign minors for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests. How could they? How could they justify charging children—children!—with treason, as if they are hardened criminals? These youths, in their naïve quest for justice, waved foreign flags and called for military intervention, unaware of the gravity of their actions. They are not perpetrators; they are victims of a system that has utterly failed them. And what’s worse? They are being treated as criminals, locked away in cages, stripped of their dignity, all because they dared to voice their frustration in a society that has turned its back on them.
The negligence of the Nigerian Police is appalling. Instead of protecting these vulnerable youths, they have chosen to act like oppressors, wielding the law like a weapon to crush dissent. How can they not see that these children are not criminals, but rather reflections of a society that has failed them miserably? This is a grave injustice! Their actions scream of desperation—a cry for help that has been met with harsh and brutal reprisals. The police, in their ignorance and arrogance, seem more concerned with maintaining control than understanding the root causes of unrest. They have become the very embodiment of the problem, an immovable wall against the winds of change.
But let us not stop with the police; we must scrutinize the families that should have been their first line of defense. The families of these minors are emblematic of a larger crisis, akin to a neglected garden where the weeds of ignorance and despair choke out any chance for growth. In Northern Nigeria, many parents are overwhelmed by the weight of poverty, caught in a vicious cycle of despair and hopelessness. In an environment where education is undervalued and guidance is scant, how can we expect children to make informed choices? They are thrust into a chaotic world without the tools to navigate it, like ships lost at sea, without a compass or a guiding star.
Too many parents have allowed their children to slip through the cracks, failing to instill the values and critical thinking necessary for resilience in the face of adversity. It is as if they have forgotten the importance of nurturing their offspring, leaving them vulnerable to external influences that seek to exploit their desperation. When families fail to provide a foundation of support and education, they unwittingly push their children into the arms of ideologies that promise change but come with devastating consequences. The collective failure of these families is a bitter pill to swallow; it highlights the urgent need for introspection and reform within the northern Nigerian family structure.
Society, too, stands guilty as charged. Where is the community support that should cradle these young minds? Instead, it often resembles a barren landscape, devoid of opportunities and hope. Young people wander aimlessly, desperate for a purpose, and when they finally find a cause, they latch onto it without understanding the risks. They become like moths drawn to a flame, seeking illumination but often finding themselves consumed by the fire. This societal neglect breeds a cycle of despair and impulsiveness that no one seems willing to address.
The state—the very institution that should be a beacon of hope and security—has instead become a harbinger of oppression. By charging these minors with treason, the state is not only failing its youth but also sending a chilling message to all: dissent will not be tolerated, and questioning authority will lead to severe consequences. This cowardly act! The state has chosen to silence the voices of the young, stifling their cries for justice with the heavy hand of the law rather than engaging with the issues that ignite their passions.
The response from the Attorney General’s office—a call for a review of the case and a transfer of the file for consideration—is a step in the right direction but falls short of what is needed. Yes, due process must be followed, but we must also demand justice and compassion. It is not enough to simply release these minors; we must ensure that the system recognizes their humanity. They are not mere statistics or collateral damage in a political struggle; they are individuals with dreams, hopes, and futures—futures that now hang in the balance because of the reckless actions of adults who should know better.
As we reflect on this tragic situation, it is vital to remember that these youth embody the hopes and dreams of a generation desperate for change. They are not the enemy; they are the future. In a world where the river of opportunity has run dry, it is not too late to blame the water, but it is imperative to examine how we can replenish it and ensure that the next generation can thrive. By addressing the failures of family, society, and the state head-on, we can begin to heal the wounds of neglect and provide a path forward for those who seek a better tomorrow.
But let this serve as a warning—a cautionary tale. If we continue to ignore the plight of our youth, if we allow the cycles of neglect and despair to perpetuate, we will pay a heavy price. The time has come for Northern Nigeria to get its politics right. We must come together to foster a society where our children are empowered, educated, and supported, rather than criminalized and discarded. Otherwise, we risk losing an entire generation to the darkness of oppression and despair. The choice is ours, but the consequences will be borne by our children.
Mr Aliyu is a Kaduna-based economist and policy analyst
