Comrade Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has made an urgent appeal to the federal government to provide compensation for the minors who were arrested and detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests. In a statement released on Tuesday, Frank praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to release the minors and other protesters, viewing it as a positive step toward addressing the injustices faced by these young individuals.
Frank emphasized the significance of the President’s decision, stating, “We warmly welcome President Bola Tinubu’s order for the immediate release of minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests from detention.” He noted that this action demonstrates an acknowledgment of the deep concerns expressed by both Nigerians and the international community regarding the treatment of protesters, particularly minors.
Despite the positive move, Frank expressed the need for greater accountability and reform within the nation’s intelligence agencies. He pointed out the alarming fact that minors were held in detention for over 90 days without adequate attention from the President’s office, raising serious questions about the efficacy of these agencies. He urged President Tinubu to investigate this oversight and consider replacing intelligence chiefs who failed to address the situation promptly.
In his call for justice, Frank demanded that the investigation ordered by the President begin with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as well as the Commissioners of Police responsible for the arrests in Kano and Kaduna states. He insisted, “This probe must not be swept under the rug. We shall monitor the process to ensure that the findings are made public and that appropriate sanctions are imposed on any officers found to be complicit in these actions.”
To ensure that the minors receive adequate justice for their distressing experiences, Frank urged the federal government to provide financial assistance to their families, offer scholarships to the minors, and enroll them in reputable boarding schools to aid in their recovery from the trauma they endured. He also emphasized the importance of making professional counseling services available to the minors to help them cope with any emotional or psychological distress resulting from their detention.
By implementing these measures, Frank believes that the government can begin to heal the wounds inflicted during the protests and work toward creating a more just and compassionate society for all Nigerians. He concluded, “By taking these steps, we can start to rebuild trust and ensure that such injustices do not happen again in the future.”
