Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the 119 minors released from detention to become responsible citizens as they reunite with their families in Kano and Kaduna States.
Shettima made the appeal during a ceremony at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, where he officially handed over the minors to Governors Abba Yusuf of Kano and Uba Sani of Kaduna.
Of the 119 minors, 73 were handed over to Governor Yusuf of Kano, while 39 were transferred to Governor Sani of Kaduna.
Three minors from Kano had already been released earlier and are now with their parents, while an additional four minors from Kaduna were also freed previously.
Describing the event as a solemn occasion, Shettima urged everyone to reflect on the challenges facing the country. He highlighted that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the release of the minors on humanitarian grounds, despite the existence of compelling evidence— including digital video and photographic documentation— showing the minors’ involvement in violent activities.
Shettima emphasized that, despite the evidence, the President’s decision to offer the minors another chance at redemption was driven by his compassion and commitment to nation-building.
He said that the President is a father to the nation, and his decision would give the young men an opportunity to become responsible citizens who will positively contribute to society.
The Vice President also warned the minors against being used for violence and property destruction. He pointed out that over N300 billion was lost during the protests, which primarily involved damage to private property and businesses. He urged the released minors to take advantage of the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute to societal growth.
Shettima also appealed to the governors and elected officials to ensure the proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the minors into their communities.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for demonstrating leadership and magnanimity in granting the pardon, noting that many of the instigators of the violence and their families were not included in the amnesty.
He also thanked Governors Yusuf and Sani for quickly traveling to Abuja to take custody of the minors.
In his remarks, Governor Yusuf assured that under his leadership, such destructive protests would not occur again in Kano. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his compassionate act, emphasizing that the people of Kano would always remember the President’s humility and kindness.
Governor Sani also pledged that the minors in Kaduna would be enrolled in schools and vocational training programs to help them build better futures. He expressed confidence that the release would bring happiness to many people, given the difficult circumstances the minors had faced.
Finally, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, stated that the ministry had conducted medical assessments of all the minors, confirming that they were fit to return to their families.
“The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds.
” Despite compelling and incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetrators in action. Some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
” Regarding this evidence, the president is the father of the nation to give these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.
” I will urge you, I will advise you, you are our children to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society,” Shettima said.
He thanked Tinubu for proving to the world that he was a father of the nation.
” We want to thank the President on behalf of our governors, on behalf of our members of the National Assembly for his magnanimity in granting pardon to these young children.
” Not that they were exonerated from their crime is out of his own magnanimity. Most of the instigators of the crime and their children were not involved,” he said.
