Kano governor Abba Yusuf returns 76 minors to parents after court ruling
On Thursday, November 21, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf handed over 76 minors to their parents after they were discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court in Abuja. The teenagers had been detained in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
The handover took place at Muhammad Buhari Specialist Hospital in Kano, where the governor, represented by his Chief of Staff Alhaji Wada Sagagi, urged the minors to remain law-abiding and avoid participating in unlawful protests in the future.
Governor Yusuf also emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting authority. He announced that the state government would sponsor the education of all the minors and provide automatic employment to those who have completed their NCE education during the next recruitment exercise.
The governor highlighted the state’s strong commitment to education, with 29% of the 2024 budget allocated to education, and 30% proposed for 2025. He directed the Ministry of Education to monitor the reformed minors’ progress closely.
The Commissioner for Education, Haruna Doguwa, mentioned that the Ministry had taken note of those still in secondary school and would assist in returning them to their studies.
Malam Ahmad Muhammad, speaking on behalf of the minors’ parents, thanked the state government for its support.
UNICEF Chief of Kano Field Office, Michael Banda, also praised the governor’s efforts, calling the release and reunification of the minors a positive development. He commended Governor Yusuf for prioritizing the children’s rights and welfare, underscoring UNICEF’s commitment to creating a child-friendly Kano where every child’s rights are respected.
