An alarming situation in Nigeria has sparked public outrage as 29 children are among those facing the possibility of a death sentence for allegedly participating in protests against rising living costs.
The minors, aged 14 to 17, joined a group of 76 individuals charged in court last Friday. The accusations include treason, property damage, public disturbance, and incitement of a military coup.
The court saw four of the children collapse from exhaustion before they could respond to the charges, with reports indicating they have been in police custody since August.
The protests, which erupted across various Nigerian cities in August, were in response to economic changes, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and currency devaluation.
These reforms have led to soaring inflation, putting significant strain on everyday Nigerians. However, President Bola Tinubu has remained firm in pursuing these measures, describing them as necessary for the nation’s stability.
Amid the protests, security forces were criticized for excessive force, with Amnesty International reporting that at least 13 people were fatally shot in confrontations with police.
Lawyers representing the children have secured bail for them, with the case set to proceed in January. Although the death penalty was introduced in Nigeria in the 1970s, executions have not taken place since 2016.