Vice President Kashim Shettima has said his principal, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of the minors facing trial for treason on compassionate grounds.
The VP said there was incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions of some of the protesters which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
He lamented that the nation lost over N300 billion from the destruction and halting of economic activities orchestrated by the protesters.
The VP said this on Tuesday while receiving the minors at the Presidential Villa, shortly after their charges were dropped by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Shettima said, “The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
“Regarding this evidence, the President as the father of the nation is giving these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.
“I would like to admonish you, young men not to allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property because over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business.
“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.
“I will urge our governors and our elected representatives here, that cuts across the political divide, what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides us.
“I will call on our two governors and our representatives into a single cause, and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the fabric of our communities”.
Recall that the released 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters (minors and adults) who were earlier arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force and discharged by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja arrived at the presidential villa at noon.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had earlier struck out the case against the protesters as requested by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), led by Lateef Fagbemi.
They were received by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu and handed over to their respective state governors, Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Abba Yusuf of Kano.
Ministers of Education, Tunji Alausa, of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, and Environment, Balarabe Lawal were present at the handover.
Others are minister of state of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu.
Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai were also present at the State House Auditorium, Abuja.
Also present to receive them were the Deputy Senate President, Jubrin Barau, chairman committee on appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.