Crime and Law
FG sets to take fresh action on detained teenagers

Ministry of Women’s Affairs has said that, as stipulated by law, the court cases of the 52 children being prosecuted for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest, will be transferred to juvenile court.
The ministry said plans to have their cases transferred are underway and will soon be concluded alongside the provision of social and psychological support.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the Minister, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, visited the children at the detention facility in Abuja, interacting with them to identify and address their concerns.
“Communications are underway with relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary, and correctional institutions, to ensure that these children’s cases are expedited and heard in juvenile courts as mandated by law.
“Active monitoring of their welfare is ongoing, and the ministry is collaborating with child rights advocates to ensure no child suffers undue harm, discrimination, or maltreatment,” the statement reads in part.
Last Friday, three minors and one person of adult age were brought to face charges related to the August #EndBadGovernance protest slumped at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Minors detained over protest
The defendants looked malnourished and had been reportedly starved and mistreated while in detention.
The minors are part of the 76 alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters who were arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police Force three months ago.
In August, the court ordered the remand of 76 individuals, including minors below 18, in prison for two months at the request of the police for more time for further investigations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the application for the detention order on 8 August, accused the detainees of “terrorism, treason, treasonable felony, arson, and other terrorism-related offences.”
Reports revealed that the IGP based the application on section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, section 35(1)(C) of the Nigerian constitution, and section 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
The court incident triggered an outrage among citizens, with many demanding the immediate release of the children and others arrested over the protest.
Civil society organisations and rights activists slammed the police and the government over the arrest and detention of minors.
– Cases Of Minors Under Review
Speaking on this, the Ministry of Women Affairs said President Bola Tinubu has directed the attorney general, Lateef Fagbemi, to review the minors’ cases.
The ministry said it is working on providing psychological counselling for the children once they are released and accessible educational opportunities.
According to the ministry, Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim discussed with authorities during her visit to the facility how to ensure the children receive appropriate care and are in excellent condition.
She said: “Ensuring the rights of every child is paramount, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, and international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory. Regardless of circumstance, every child is entitled to protection, dignity, and a fair judicial process under the law.
“The Ministry is adopting a Whole-of-Society Approach (WoSA) to address juvenile delinquency. Through collaborative efforts with all relevant stakeholders, the goal is to strengthen existing systems and structures, with a focus on reforming the juvenile justice system.
“Key initiatives will include revising laws to address juvenile delinquency and fostering multi-sectoral engagement to empower communities and authorities to prevent juvenile delinquency across Nigeria”.
Crime and Law
Shock as prison officers assault journalists covering court case

Journalists from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) were reportedly assaulted by prison officers while covering a court case at the Ebonyi State High Court in Abakaliki.
The incident, which took place during a legal proceeding involving 36 inmates, was disclosed by Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lawyer representing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to Ejiofor, the officers attempted to forcibly seize the journalists’ camera, leading to a physical confrontation in which one of the crew members was assaulted.
Condemning the attack, Ejiofor described it as a blatant violation of press freedom and called on the leadership of the Nigerian Correctional Service to take swift disciplinary action against those responsible.
He further questioned why journalists were being obstructed, especially when the inmates had already been cleared of all charges three times.
“The world is watching. Journalists must be allowed to do their job without intimidation or violence,” Ejiofor warned.
Crime and Law
Police arrest mother who sold newborn for ₦600K as buyer resells for ₦4M

The Nigerian Police Force has arrested a woman for allegedly selling her newborn baby, less than two weeks old, for ₦600,000, only for the child to be resold for ₦4 million in what appears to be a baby trafficking syndicate.
The shocking revelation surfaced in a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), where a police officer shared details of the incident, linking it to an ongoing crackdown on baby factory operations in the country.
According to the officer, the young mother was taken in and cared for by some individuals during her pregnancy. However, after giving birth, she allegedly handed over the baby to a woman in exchange for ₦600,000.
Investigations later uncovered that the buyer resold the baby to another person for ₦4 million, sparking outrage online.
The police officer, who posted the story alongside a video, captioned it:
“The girl with long hair got pregnant, and people took care of her. But after some time, they noticed she was no longer pregnant. When asked about her baby, she said a woman helped her sell the child for ₦600,000. Watch and see how much the baby was resold for. This baby factory business— we are clamping down on it seriously.”
The revelation has triggered widespread condemnation, with many Nigerians calling for stricter measures against child trafficking and tougher penalties for those involved in the illegal trade.
See some reactions below:
@AB_i_NO: “They didn’t do the right thing ooo, but that was not a baby factor case.”
@Ussy_babajo: “In a few years, this ‘baby’ will grow up, join the assembly line of factory-made activists, and start calling Northerners all sorts of names. The cycle continues.”
@Idrees_taheer: “What do you mean by asking ” why would you sell a baby for 3.5m and give the mother of the child 600k” what is the highest crime here? Would the crime be less of she had given her the 3.5m?”
@AbiolaVJ: “SP, please always state the date in your introduction for future reference. Good job The real winch is the woman on the left, but we don’t know for sure what the one in the middle wanted the child for. Hard to judge the mother. Her crime is ignorance.”
@MullingsJane: “You did a very poor job ? What time are U managing, D woman is trying to confess U are saying she is trying to exposes herself ? Can’t U use full day to handle this case or video recording you can do better, if you don’t want to bring this to people hearing you can help cover it.”
@ambalium: “Your focus should not be on the “amount” you should have focused on the main issue “safety of the baby” and the violations perpetrated by those involved.”
Crime and Law
NANS reacts to UNIZIK student’s assault on lecturer

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), where a student allegedly attacked a lecturer over a TikTok video.
In a statement released in Ibadan, Oyo State, NANS Senate President Babatunde Akinteye expressed deep concern over the growing trend of student misconduct in academic institutions. While reaffirming NANS’ commitment to advocating for students’ rights, he stressed the importance of discipline, respect for authority, and adherence to institutional regulations.
“NANS has always stood for students’ rights, academic freedom, and a conducive learning environment,” Akinteye stated. “However, we also uphold discipline, respect for authority, and adherence to institutional laws. The reported incident at UNIZIK, where a student physically assaulted a lecturer over a TikTok recording, is completely unacceptable.”
He emphasized that while students have the right to self-expression and the use of social media, such rights must be exercised with responsibility and decorum. Describing the attack as an embarrassment to the student body, he noted that such behavior does not represent the values of Nigerian students.
Akinteye further warned that NANS will not support any student who violates school regulations, disrespects lecturers, or engages in actions that tarnish the image of the academic community. He reiterated that the association promotes responsible student leadership and discipline and will not hesitate to call out misconduct.
“In light of this incident, we urge the UNIZIK management to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the facts. Due diligence must be observed, and all parties involved should be given a fair hearing. However, if the student is found guilty, appropriate sanctions should be enforced in line with institutional regulations to serve as a deterrent,” he added.
Akinteye concluded by stressing that academic institutions must remain spaces of learning, respect, and professionalism, free from violence and disorderly conduct.
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