my ipad mini was a gift and it has activation lock on it how can it be removed

Return the iPad mini to the pawn shop for a refund or recycle it responsibly.

Without the AppleID and passcode used to initiate the Activation Lock,

that iPad is and will remain useless to you.

There is no workaround for the security features of Activation Lock.

Activation Lock page: https://al-support.apple.com/#/getsupport

Also read this --> The All Too Common SAD Reality of Buying … - Apple Community

Ask that person to remove the lock. It's an anti-theft measure.

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