Some of the parents of the released minors over the August 1, 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano and Kaduna States have narrated their ordeal during the period of their children’s detention by the police authorities in Abuja.

In separate interviews with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Kano and Kaduna where the minors hail from, the parents said they were devastated and could neither eat nor sleep for several days.

Some of them said they sold their property and engaged in menial jobs to raise money that lawyers demanded for the bail of their wards.

One of the parents, Malam Ibrahim Mado, the father of released Abdulraman Ibrahim, said when his son was arrested, he made all efforts at the police headquarters in Bompai Kano to secure his release but was unsuccessful.

Mado said he redoubled his efforts when they were transferred to Abuja and got no positive result.

According to him, his 16-year-old son was arrested when he was returning home from an errand.

He said after spending so much money as demanded by several individuals to secure his release, there was no impressive feedback until they were taken to court and he was informed of the payment of N10 million bail per child.

On how he felt for months while his son was detained, he said, “Mine is better because I am a man. His mother couldn’t sleep; she has emaciated. Right now, she is still sick as a result of thinking and crying so much; she would often say if it’s death, I will know where my son is. But as a man, since we can bear so many things, I always console her.

“We were asked to pay N10 million for each child to secure their freedom; God intervened through President Bola Tinubu who granted them pardon and asked that the kids be released. We are happy that they brought them back to Kano and we can’t wait to receive them,” he said.

Another parent, Amina Isa (mother), who was thankful to God for the release of her son, said he was arrested around Kofar Na’isa not long after he came back from his trading (hawking of phone cables and chargers) at about 2pm when the curfew was relaxed by the state government.

“His whereabouts was unknown to me. It was one of her relatives who is a lawyer that made an inquiry and discovered that he was taken to Bompai Police headquarters.

“For the length of time he was taken, I couldn’t eat or sleep because it was the same period his elder brother died.

“I lost my house in an effort to get a means to pay all the lawyers and Malams who will help us pray. I worked at a beans’ farm to raise money to travel to Abuja in order to secure his release and see him while I also give alms to children anywhere I go. I have lost so much weight and complexion,” she said.

She expressed happiness over his return alongside other kids, noting that, “Since the day we were informed they will arrive Kano, I was full of excitement till now and I have gained peace. Alhamdullilah!”

Mrs Isa thanked the state governor, their representatives and other politicians who played key roles in the release of their children and prayed for their progress and the state.

Another mother, Rabi ReminKibe, expressed happiness over the release of her 23-year-old son.

She said after being denied bail in Kano to Abuja, they were asked to get a lawyer as the case had been taken to court.

“We were worried and our eyes were swollen as a result of crying. It was terrible because we were thinking of the experiences they were going through; of not having to eat, no bathing or washing of clothes to wear and how they were mixing up with criminals. We got confused in-between whether they will return or not.

“But today is a joyous day; we are happy as we will reunite with them,” she said.