(BREAKING) #EndBadGovernance: BREKETE RADIO GOES OFF AIR TO PROTEST DETENTION OF MINORS

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and international bodies to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these children.

“Until justice is served, we stand firm in solidarity with the voiceless.”

Meanwhile, the station’s owner, Ahmed Isah, also made the announcement during an appearance on the well-liked breakfast show Brekete Family, according to a Daily Trust article on Monday.

Isah, who hosts the weekday show, was conspicuously missing from the studio on Monday morning, the agency said. Around 8:20 a.m., he called to express his shock at the state of affairs.

According to the outlet, Isah said he was taken aback by the children’s situation after they were arraigned on Friday. Feeling extremely irritated, he ordered the station closed in protest.

“Human Rights Radio will remain closed until Tuesday, pending further discussion on the matter,” he said.

Until Wednesday, when the show will open its lines for public comments on the matter, he added, it would go off broadcast once more.

Widespread outcry and increased pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration have resulted from the children’s incarceration.

Last week, images of the detained children circulated online, leading to public outrage.

Nigerians expressed outrage over the arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.

Civil society groups and rights activists slammed the police and the government over the matter.

On Saturday, the Nigerian Correctional Service refuted claims that juvenile defendants from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were detained in adult custodial facilities at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Following the arraignment of 76 individuals in connection with the protests, the judge ordered that underage defendants be placed in a borstal facility while adults would be remanded in standard cells until their bail conditions were met.

Meanwhile, there are mixed reactions under the X post, with some commending and others opposing the station’s stance.

Foundational Nigerian with the handle #SureNigerian, wrote, “How does shutting down make sense? You should be using your voice online to draw attention to their plight not shutting down.”

Starleeon, with handle #starleeon_, reacted, “Unless you are working behind the scenes to secure their release, partially shutting down is not the way to go. Use your platform to raise awareness for their unconditional release.”

In another post, Adnan Abdullahi Adam using #realadnantweet, commented, “Tinubu’s govt is doing a horrible job. His government arresting minors fining them to pay 10 million Naira each. At the same time big politicians who are looting people’s money are walking freely.”