By Victoria Ojeme

A leading coalition of women’s rights organisations called for immediate psychological intervention for minors recently released from detention following the #EndBadGovernance protests, while urging authorities to free other peaceful demonstrators still behind bars.

Womanifesto, a civil society coalition, in a statement released Wednesday said “The trauma experienced by these detained children is profound and requires immediate attention.”

“We cannot simply return these minors to their communities without addressing the psychological impact of their detention.”

The group praised the government’s decision to release the young protesters but emphasised that their detention highlighted serious flaws in Nigeria’s approach to child protection and human rights.

They called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Kano State government to implement a comprehensive reintegration programme aligned with international standards.

“When children are released from detention in developed nations, they receive structured support including counselling, family assistance, and educational services. Our children deserve no less,” the coalition said.

The organisations also raised concerns about other protesters who remain in custody. “Many peaceful demonstrators are still unjustly detained,” the statement read.

“Their continued imprisonment contradicts Nigeria’s aspirations for greater influence on the global stage.”

Womanifesto outlined specific demands including immediate psychological support, educational rehabilitation programmes, and systemic reforms in detention policies affecting minors.

The group emphasised its willingness to collaborate with government agencies to develop more robust youth protection frameworks.