By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Twenty-nine minors, aged between 14 and 17, are facing the death penalty in Nigeria after participating in a protest against the country’s cost-of-living crisis. The protesters were charged with multiple felony counts, including treason. Other minors were also charged, but four collapsed in court due to exhaustion. The accused were each granted bail but have yet to meet the strict conditions set. Lawyers and advocates have drawn attention to the fact that the Child Rights Act does not allow children to be subject to criminal proceedings and sentenced to death.
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The prospect of 29 children facing possible death sentences for protesting against the unbearable cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria is nothing short of a moral catastrophe. The fact that these children, aged 14 to 17, have been subjected to the brutality of the state for expressing dissent is a reminder of how fragile our rights can be, especially in a nation where the government seems to have lost its way.
Reading about their plight makes me confront the sad reality that many of us in the West often take for granted. We wake up every day in democracies that, despite their flaws, offer us a measure of security and the freedom to voice our grievances without the looming threat of violence or execution. It’s wild to think about the precarious position these young protestors find themselves in, simply because they sought to demand a better quality of life. What’s more disturbing is the calculated approach by those in power to stifle dissent early and ensure that these young voices do not evolve into well-organized movements in the future. It almost feels like a scheme to eradicate any possibility of hope or change.
As a Nigerian, I feel a profound sense of shame. The gradual decline of governance in the country has been evident for years. Each administration seems to take turns dragging the nation deeper into socio-economic despair while the plight of the average citizen is increasingly disregarded. It feels surreal to know that a government could not only ignore the cries of desperation but then choose to punish its youngest and most vulnerable citizens for daring to speak up. How could we possibly arrive at a point where the price for exercising one’s fundamental right is death, particularly for children?
There’s undeniably a disconnect between the government’s actions and the moral compass expected from those in power. It is disheartening that, even in a democracy like Nigeria, individuals under the age of 18 can be threatened with severe punitive measures for simply protesting. Not only is this illegal under international law—where executing children is expressly prohibited—but it reflects a deeper sickness within the system. The idea that children are being considered for such a heinous punishment pushes us to grapple with the failure of society to protect its most innocent members.
The reports of these children fainting in court, allegedly for dramatic effect, only add to the horror of this situation. It paints a dismal picture of a judicial system that is willing to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the very individuals it is supposed to protect. How can anyone justify this treatment? The Child Rights Act in Nigeria clearly states that children should not face criminal proceedings suited for adults, yet here we are, on the brink of a societal collapse where minors could face death sentences.
Imagining the fear, hunger, and despair these children must have experienced while in detention is unbearable. They have reportedly been deprived of basic necessities while awaiting a fate that should never even be on the table. To think that young individuals who might just want a future filled with possibilities are being swallowed by a system designed to silence them is profoundly tragic. It is a violation not just of their rights, but a failure of humanity.
The broader implications of this situation extend far beyond Nigeria. It shines a spotlight on how power dynamics often render the voices of the disenfranchised silent and helpless. Each protester represents a larger population that is fed up and yearning for change, yet the response from those in authority is to instill fear and maintain control by all means necessary.
We must contend with the fact that this horrifying possibility should not exist. A government that has a duty to educate and cultivate its children is instead choosing to punish free expression. It is clear that something fundamentally needs to shift if we hope to avoid more tragedies like this. The hope is for human rights organizations to rally together and intervene, fighting for the rights of these young individuals who deserve the safety and freedom to protest, to demand better without the constant threat of death looming over them.
There’s a disillusionment that those of us outside Nigeria might feel towards the apathetic global reaction to such events. We live in a world where the rights of children should be sacrosanct, yet here we are, discussing the potential deaths of young protesters. Each child facing this fate represents not merely a statistic, but a fracture in the soul of a society that is struggling to find its way. Every one of us must grapple with what this means for humanity as a whole, and how we can stand in solidarity with those who dare to protest against oppression—especially when their cries for help are met with the harshest of penalties.