Nigeria releases 29 children who potentially faced death penalty for alleged involvement in protests

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian authorities released Tuesday 29 children who have been detained for over two months and potentially faced the death penalty for their alleged participation in protests against the country’s record cost-of-living crisis following growing calls for their release.

The children, aged 14 to 17, looked excited and full of life as they waved to cameras after their release at a court in the capital, Abuja, where they stood trial. It was a stark contrast to when they were first brought to the court looking malnourished and dressed shabbily, with some collapsing out of exhaustion.

They were among more than 70 people facing charges of destruction of property, mutiny and treason, which carries the death penalty, after the August protests that shook the country and culminated in security operatives killing some demonstrators and arresting hundreds.

Ado Abdullahi, whose two sons were among the detained minors, said they never participated in the protests in their home state, Kano, and were running errands when they were arrested and taken to Abuja.

“The police just came and took them," Abdullahi told The Associated Press as he waited for them to get home after their release.

Another parent Ikililu Sani said his son, Habibu, was at the time retrieving his motorcycle from a repair shop when he was arrested.

There had been no news of the children’s detention until their arraignment, sparking outrage and renewing concerns over deteriorating human rights in Africa’s most populous country.

Under rising pressure from activists, Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu ordered their release on Monday and ordered an investigation of law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and prosecution of the children.

The police earlier defended their actions, but said Monday night it started an investigation into allegations the minors were mistreated while in custody.

Lawyers and activists urged the Nigerian government to see to the welfare of the children and provide them with educational support. The children's release is only "the first step in the right direction," said Marshal Abubakar, one of their counsels.

Children who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, gesture as they are led to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

Children who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, are led to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

Children who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, are led to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

Children who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, are led to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

A child who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, waves as he is led to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

Children who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, are brought to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

Children who had faced the death penalty for allegedly protesting against the country's cost of living crisis, are brought to a courtroom in Abuja, Nigeria Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Olamikan Gbemiga)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Rafael was chugging past western Jamaica on Tuesday and was expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it headed toward Cuba.

The storm was located 70 miles (115 kilometers) southwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Tuesday morning. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) and was moving northwest at 14 mph (23 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The center said it expected “steady to rapid intensification” over the next 24 to 36 hours. It was expected to continue to pass by Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon, be near or over the Cayman Islands on Tuesday night and make landfall in western Cuba on Wednesday.

"Rafael is expected to become a hurricane as it passes near the Cayman Islands with further strengthening before it makes landfall in Cuba," the center said.

On Tuesday morning, Cuban Civil Defense called on Cubans on social media to prepare as soon as possible, because when the storm makes landfall “it’s important to stay where you are.” The day before, authorities said they had issued an evacuation order for 37,000 people far eastern Cuba, in the province of Guantanamo, due to bad weather.

A hurricane warning was in effect for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas and the Isle of Youth.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for Jamaica and the Cuban provinces of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and Ciego de Avila, as well as the lower and middle Florida Keys from Key West to west of the Channel 5 Bridge, and Dry Tortugas.

A tropical storm watch was in effect for the Cuban provinces of Camaguey and Las Tunas.

“The storm is currently situated in an atmospheric and oceanic environment that is quite conducive for strengthening,” the hurricane center said. Though an expert at the center said it was still unclear how much Florida and other coastal parts of the United States would be affected.

In the Cayman Islands, officials closed schools and government offices as they urged residents to prepare. Long lines were reported at grocery stores as the storm approached.

Jamaica also closed down as a precaution, with the storm's outer winds battering the island late Monday. “We urge all Jamaicans to remain vigilant,” said Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie.

The storm is bad news for Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from Hurricane Oscar, which battered the island about two weeks ago after making landfall in the eastern part of Cuba, killing at least six people. The storm also coincided with a large-scale blackout on the island.

Forecasters warned Rafael would unleash heavy rains across the western Caribbean that could lead to flooding and mudslides, with totals of 3 to 6 inches (7 to 15 centimeters) and up to 10 inches (25 cm) expected locally in Jamaica and parts of Cuba.

Heavy rainfall also was expected to spread north into Florida and nearby areas of the southeast U.S. during the middle to late part of the week. A few tornadoes also were expected Wednesday over the Keys and southwesternmost Florida mainland.

Rafael is the 17th named storm of the season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted the 2024 hurricane season was likely to be well above average, with between 17 and 25 named storms. The forecast called for as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Tropical Storm Rafael spins toward the Cayman Islands as Cuba prepares for hurricane hit

This satellite image provided by NOAA shows weather systems Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (NOAA via AP)

Tropical Storm Rafael spins toward the Cayman Islands as Cuba prepares for hurricane hit