Kaduna State Governor Sani Uba has awarded ₦100,000 and smartphones to the 39 released #EndBadGovernance protesters, offering them a fresh start.
The governor pledged to rehabilitate and empower the protesters, provided they reform their behavior.
Speaking on the governor’s behalf, Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, revealed that Uba had directed officials to collect credentials from those who have completed tertiary education.
These individuals could receive start-up capital for businesses, vocational training, or employment opportunities
Meyere emphasized that the government would closely monitor the conduct of the released protesters, tracking their addresses, phone numbers, and next of kin to ensure they remain on the path to reform.
He also shared that the detainees underwent medical evaluations and psycho-social counseling to encourage positive change. Religious leaders from both Islamic and Christian faiths offered guidance, urging the individuals to embrace faith-based teachings and avoid negative influences in order to benefit from God’s blessings both in this life and the hereafter.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which erupted in August due to Nigeria’s severe economic conditions, began peacefully but escalated into violent clashes in certain regions. Some of the protesters were later charged, but the government’s decision to release them was prompted by public outcry over the inclusion of minors in the protests, leading President Bola Tinubu to intervene.