June 2, 2014, citing lawlessness and security threats, the
Police Commissioner in Abuja has banned all protests regarding the missing 240
girls kidnapped by the terrorist organization Boko Haram. “I cannot fold my hands and watch this
lawlessness,” he said, “Protests on the Chinok girls are hereby banned with
immediate effect.” Police Commissioner
Joseph Mbu is known for violently cracking down on protesters, including
students and lecturers.
Police Commissioner in Abuja has banned all protests regarding the missing 240
girls kidnapped by the terrorist organization Boko Haram. “I cannot fold my hands and watch this
lawlessness,” he said, “Protests on the Chinok girls are hereby banned with
immediate effect.” Police Commissioner
Joseph Mbu is known for violently cracking down on protesters, including
students and lecturers.
In a statement, Mbu cited “dangerous elements” that are
trying to hijack the protests. He cited
the emergence of “Release Our Girls,” a rival protest group that violently
attacked the “Bring Back Our Girls” protest.
However, Mbu did not condemn these attacks and his officials stood by
and watched. “Information reaching us is
that too soon, dangerous elements will join groups under the guise of protest
and detonate explosives aimed at embarrassing the government.”
trying to hijack the protests. He cited
the emergence of “Release Our Girls,” a rival protest group that violently
attacked the “Bring Back Our Girls” protest.
However, Mbu did not condemn these attacks and his officials stood by
and watched. “Information reaching us is
that too soon, dangerous elements will join groups under the guise of protest
and detonate explosives aimed at embarrassing the government.”
Many believe the directive to be aimed at the Abuja family,
who has been staging sit-out protests for over 30 days to ensure the issue
stays at the forefront of political discourse.
Protesters promised to challenge the ban in court on June 3 and filed a
complaint. On Tuesday, June 3, a few
hours after the complaint was filed, a spokesman for Mbu issued a statement
saying that the Commissioner was only advising against protests and that no ban
had been put into effect. He cautioned
the protesters to reconsider their positions, as there are threats of
infiltration and violence.
who has been staging sit-out protests for over 30 days to ensure the issue
stays at the forefront of political discourse.
Protesters promised to challenge the ban in court on June 3 and filed a
complaint. On Tuesday, June 3, a few
hours after the complaint was filed, a spokesman for Mbu issued a statement
saying that the Commissioner was only advising against protests and that no ban
had been put into effect. He cautioned
the protesters to reconsider their positions, as there are threats of
infiltration and violence.
As security forces in Nigeria focus on protesters and
internal issues, the plight of almost 300 girls remains on the backburner. But this is not the only issue. Protesters have long agonized over the
corruption in the military and government of Nigeria, worried that it will
detract from finding their loved ones.
And they may be right.
internal issues, the plight of almost 300 girls remains on the backburner. But this is not the only issue. Protesters have long agonized over the
corruption in the military and government of Nigeria, worried that it will
detract from finding their loved ones.
And they may be right.
On Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 10 generals and 5 other senior
military officials were convicted of providing arms and information to Boko
Haram. This is comes as another blow to
the families whose children were kidnapped by Boko Haram men posing as military
personnel.
military officials were convicted of providing arms and information to Boko
Haram. This is comes as another blow to
the families whose children were kidnapped by Boko Haram men posing as military
personnel.
The families and friends of the kidnapped girls are
fighting. They are fighting their government’s
corruption, bans on peaceful protests, and time.
fighting. They are fighting their government’s
corruption, bans on peaceful protests, and time.
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