Human Rights Radio and Television, popularly known as Brekete Family, has temporarily gone off the air in protest against the detention of minors involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria. The station announced its partial shutdown in an official statement released on X on Monday.
The statement emphasized the station’s commitment to human rights, declaring, “Human Rights Radio and Television (Brekete Family) shuts down partially in protest of the Nigerian government’s detention of underage children.” It further expressed solidarity with vulnerable populations, stating, “This decision reflects our deep commitment to defending the rights of the vulnerable and holding authorities accountable.”
In a call to action, the station urged, “We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and international bodies to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these children.” The statement concluded with a firm pledge: “Until justice is served, we stand firm in solidarity with the voiceless.”
Ahmed Isah, the station’s owner, announced the shutdown during his popular breakfast show, also called Brekete Family. Notably absent from the studio that morning, Isah called in around 8:20 am to express his outrage over the situation. He revealed he was particularly disturbed by the conditions of the detained children, who were arraigned the previous Friday.
“Human Rights Radio will remain closed until Tuesday, pending further discussion on the matter,” Isah stated, indicating that the station would consider additional actions based on future discussions. He also announced that the station would go off air again until Wednesday, when it would open lines for public opinions regarding the issue.
The recent arrests of minors during the protests have drawn significant public condemnation, intensifying pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Last week, images of the detained children surfaced online, prompting widespread outrage among citizens.
Reports indicate that 76 suspects, including 32 minors, were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court. The situation has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and rights activists, who have condemned both the police and the government for their actions.
In a response to the mounting controversy, the Nigerian Correctional Service denied claims that juvenile defendants from the protests were being held in adult custodial facilities at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Following the arraignment, the judge ordered that the underage defendants be placed in a borstal facility, while adults would be remanded in standard cells until their bail conditions were met.
Social media reactions to Brekete Family’s protest have been mixed. While some users praised the station’s stance, others criticized the decision to shut down. One user, known as #SureNigerian, questioned the effectiveness of the shutdown, suggesting, “How does shutting down make sense? You should be using your voice online to draw attention to their plight.”
Another user, #starleeon_, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “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 contrast, other comments expressed solidarity.
