Amb. Abdumumeen Ibrahim Commends President Tinubu for Immediate Release of Minors Charged with Treason, Calls for Prosecution of Sponsors
Abuja, Nigeria – Amb. Abdumumeen Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the Coalition of Civil Societies for a New Nigeria, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for swiftly intervening in the case of minors charged with treason after being seen carrying a Russian flag during recent hunger protests in northern Nigeria.
Speaking on Politics Naija on the TungbaFM Network, Amb. Ibrahim praised the President for his decisive action in ensuring that the minors were promptly released, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the rights of young citizens while upholding the law.
“I want to commend President Tinubu for his quick and compassionate decision to release these minors. It was a wise move that reflects a true understanding of the complexities surrounding their involvement,” Amb. Ibrahim stated. “The President’s intervention shows his commitment to ensuring justice is served, but also his recognition of the need to protect children from undue punishment for actions they may not fully understand.”
The incident, which took place during recent protests over economic hardship in the north, had sparked national outrage after video footage emerged showing the minors waving a Russian flag, which many perceived as a symbol of anti-government sentiment. The minors were initially charged with treason, a crime that carries severe penalties under Nigerian law.
Amb. Ibrahim, however, emphasized that while the minors should not face prosecution, those behind the scenes who orchestrated the protest and exploited the young individuals for political purposes must be held accountable. “The focus must now shift to identifying and prosecuting the sponsors of these minors,” he said. “There are forces at play here that are manipulating innocent young Nigerians for their own political agenda, and it is vital that these individuals face the full weight of the law.”
He further urged the Nigerian government to launch a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure that the masterminds of the protest, who may have incited the minors to carry the Russian flag, are brought to justice.
“The future of Nigeria lies in its youth, and we must ensure that they are protected from harmful influences. At the same time, we must send a clear message that political manipulation of minors for selfish interests will not be tolerated,” Amb. Ibrahim concluded.
The release of the minors and the call for the prosecution of their sponsors is expected to continue to be a topic of debate as authorities work to address the broader issues surrounding the protests and the role of external actors infueling unrest.