Young protesters walk free: Nigerian teens escape harsh punishment in Abuja

In a turn-of-events at Abujas main court‚ twenty-nine young-people regained their freedom today (they were held since early-fall for joining street demonstrations against high prices)

The under-age protesters — ranging from fourteen to seventeen years-old — showed happy faces while greeting media outside the courthouse; this was quite different from their first court appearance when they looked weak and tired

The teens (who previously faced death-penalty charges) had been kept in custody for about two months. Their initial court appearance was heart-breaking: some kids were so exhausted they couldnʼt stand up‚ wearing old clothes and showing signs of poor care

Their release comes as many people spoke up about the harsh treatment of young protesters‚ who were caught up in nation-wide demonstrations against rising living costs. The teens dont face any more charges now