Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed outrage over a video showing malnourished children being arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The children, allegedly detained for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests held in early August, appeared visibly weak and undernourished, sparking national concern about their treatment.

Atiku condemned the Bola Tinubu-led administration for allowing children to endure such harsh conditions, stating that this incident exposes how little the government values the lives of vulnerable citizens.

Atiku pointed out that the scene of the children in court evoked images of “a Nazi concentration camp,” a comparison underscoring the severity of their treatment.

He criticized the government for failing to uphold Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, which explicitly protects minors from any form of abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.

Section 11 of the Act guarantees respect for the dignity of every child, including protection from physical, mental, and emotional injury.

“A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens,” Atiku remarked, adding that it is a tragedy that even children are not spared from what he calls the “wickedness of T Pain.”

According to reports, these children have been detained since their arrests three months ago.

Atiku emphasized that the delay in arraignment raises serious questions about the conditions they have endured during that time.

Many critics share his concern that the government’s treatment of these minors reflects a disregard for their well-being and legal rights.

The video, which has circulated widely on social media, has sparked an outcry, with activists and citizens alike demanding justice for the children and calling on authorities to review their charges.

Atiku also noted the irony of Tinubu’s response to the protests, pointing out that Tinubu himself has a history of protesting for democracy in Nigeria.

He argued that it is hypocritical for Tinubu, a self-proclaimed advocate for democracy, to turn around and punish children for protesting peacefully against the hardships created by his policies.

Atiku mentioned that the protests, which took place from August 1 to August 10, were driven by the frustrations of Nigerians facing inflation, high fuel prices, and insecurity—issues that have disproportionately affected the youth and most vulnerable populations.

The #EndBadGovernance protests, which spread across the country, reflected dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s leadership and the economic challenges that many families are struggling to overcome.

Children, especially, feel the impact of rising living costs, scarce educational resources, and inadequate healthcare.

Atiku argued that, given these circumstances, children have every right to speak up, and their peaceful protest is constitutionally protected.

Rights groups are now urging a full investigation into the treatment of these children while in detention.

The Child Rights Act of 2003 is designed to shield minors from such trauma and to ensure that every Nigerian child is treated with dignity.

Yet in this case, activists argue that the government itself is failing to uphold the law.

The public has been vocal in its calls for an overhaul of the current system, emphasizing that Nigeria’s future depends on how it treats its young and vulnerable citizens.

Atiku’s remarks underline the need for urgent reform and accountability in how Nigeria handles cases involving minors.

He concluded by saying that the conditions under which the children were brought to court serve as evidence of the justification for the protests in the first place, as they reflect the hardships and injustices that drove Nigerians to the streets.