IS the government not supposed to protect us? How can this government be so unmoved when it persistently harms those it’s supposed to protect? Food price hike, we adjust, feul hike, we adjust, blackout, we adjust and now persecuting minors, really? Thats horrifying, especially under these circumstances, is incredibly unjust.
We are not living like a normal people in this country. I can’t wrap my head around how anyone could consider this approach fair. Leaving these young kids malnourished and demanding an impossible bail condition only adds to the cruelty that all but seem designed to break their spirits and send a message to others who might want to speak out.
This is far from normal asking people, who are fighting for basic rights like food and good governance, to pay 10 million naira bail is an unimaginable burden. It feels like a way to intimidate people and make it nearly impossible for them to continue standing up for their rights. This kind of excessive bail seems designed to stifle dissent and punish those who demand better living conditions and accountability. For doing nothing constitutionally wrong.
This situation highlights how disconnected the authorities seem from the realities of everyday Nigerians – adding financial punishment to the struggle for basic human needs. We still haven’t gotten out of this blackout stress, we are now hit with this emotional crisis.
Honestly, the government wants to silence us, but no, we won’t be silenced. We will speak up. The worst that could happen is arrest, maltreatment, right? No one came to this world to stay.
Boko Haram, bandits committed many atrocities against innocent lives, when they’ve had their fill, they come up with their pitiful stories – and repented and then they are taken to rehabilitation camps, pardoned and reinstalled into the vigilantes but innocent people protesting against hunger, oppression are arrested detained and charged with treason.
I saw someone wrote “choose your crime wisely” So the government can fish out those raising Russian flag ( I am sure most of those kids don’t know what treason really means), instead of educating them on dangers of flying the Russian flag, they are arresting them and maltreating them.
Even in the face of this cruelty, the courage of those fighting for justice in this country is something no one can take away. What’s happening in this country is beyond angering – it’s heartbreaking. Minors should never have to endure such conditions, (no one deserves to go through this) especially for exercising their right to protest.
We are all know these suspects are kids aged between 10-12 but to the amazement of many Nigerian, the prosecuting counsel looked blatantly claimed they are adults, married and graduates. Such an annoying lie on national tv.
That was the height of it for me. His defense was, these children were trying to overthrow the government, how please? In a sane country, the NBA will have to sanction him. Even his colleagues behind this very lawyer were surprised at his utterance..
After all, the protests weren’t just about bad governance but also about a call for justice, better education, right to basic human necessities, accountability, and the right to peaceful country.
Seeing people who stood up for those principles facing legal battles is frustrating and disheartening. It’s a lot to process, especially when the very individuals who sought positive change are being treated this way. How are we as Nigerians holding up with all this?
The #EndBadGovernance movement also represents so much more than just a protest; it’s about the fight for a better, fairer, and more accountable Nigeria.
Watching people who advocate for positive change being targeted is incredibly painful. The “Real” #EndBadGovernance protesters have really been putting themselves on the line to demand accountability, transparency, and real change.
It’s devastating and frustrating when people who are calling for better governance end up facing legal issues and harassment. Seeing this happening , I feel sick. It can be any of us.
There’s massive imbalance in power, when the institution meant to protect and serve us are more interested in silencing us instead. It’s so hard to keep faith when you are up against a system that seems built to wear you down. Next could be you, or someone close to you.
Our leaders, emirs, business tycoons all the people that have a say in this country should stand up for these kids. Bring them back home to their parents, enroll them in schools on scholarship. Kids say they are hungry, this administration carry them go prison.
I rest my case.
- Kabara, is a writer and public commentator. Her syndicated column, Voice, appears on News Point Nigeria newspaper on Mondays. She can be reached on hafceekay01@gmail.com.