Nigeria has dropped treason charges against dozens of protesters, including over 30 children, detained since August’s anti-government demonstrations.

President Bola Tinubu had called for the minors’ release after footage of some collapsing in court, allegedly from malnutrition, sparked outrage.

The protests, driven by a cost-of-living crisis, saw clashes with security forces, leading to several deaths and hundreds of arrests.

Tinubu ordered an investigation into the arrests and the children’s prolonged detention, which rights groups have condemned as “institutional child abuse” and suppression of free assembly, BBC has reported.

Observers view the release as a government attempt to mitigate public backlash.

Written by B.C. Begley