Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored the 119 released minors to strive to be a responsible citizens as they are being reunite with their families in Kano and Kaduna states.
Shettima made the call while handing over the 119 released minors to Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano and Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna state, at the auditorium of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Newsspecng.com report that the Vice-President handed over 73 released suspected minors to Gov. Yusuf of Kano and 39 to Gov. Sani of Kaduna state.
Newsspecng.com reports that already three minors from Kano were released earlier and they are currently with their parents, while four minors from Kaduna were also released.
Shettima described event as solemn which called for sober reflection and for the country to look inwards and find solutions to its challenges.
” The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu instructed the released of the suspect on humanitarian grounds.
” Despite compelling and incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetrators in action. Some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
” Regarding this evidence, the president as the father of the nation to give these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.”
The Vice-President admonished the minors not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property.
According to him, over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly private property and loss of business.
” I will urge you, I will advise you, you are our children to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society.”
Shettima also urged their governors and elected representatives across political divide to ensure that the children are rehabilitated and reintegrated to the fabric of their communities.
He thanked President Tinubu for proving to the world that he is a father of the nation.
” We want to thank the President on behalf of our governors, on behalf of our members of the National Assembly for his magnanimity in granting pardon to this young children.
” Not that they were exonerated from their crime is out of his s own magnanimity. Most of the instigators of the crime their children were not involved,” he said.
Shettima also appreciated the governors of Kano and Kaduna for rushing down from their states to take custody of the children.
On his part, Gov. Yusuf, assured that under his watch protest that could lead to the destructions of private and public properties would never happened again.
He extended the appreciation of Kano Government and the good people of the state to President Tinubu for seeing to be freedom of the minor children.
” What the President did will continue to be in our mind. The President has shown his compassion. He has shown his humility.
” I want to assure Mr President that by the grace of Allah that kind of protest will never ever happen in Kano so long as we are in leadership,” he said.
Also, Gov. Sani of Kaduna, assured that the children would be enrolled in school and training on various skills acquisitions.
” We thank the President for granting pardon to our children. Of course we know they are children of everyone.
” Looking at their age and what they went through. I have no doubt in my mind that a lots of people must be happy for the fact that today they are free.”
Also, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the ministry has profile and examined all of them medically and they are fit to the reunite with their parents.
