The Nigerian police have said that it has banned protest by activists to put pressure on the government to speed up process to free the Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram.
Boko Haram seized more than 200 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in Borno State on April 16 and is still holding them hostages despite international outrage.
The capital Abuja has seen almost daily protests calling for the Nigerian government to take stronger action to try and rescue the schoolgirls. Most teachers went on strike last month across the country to register their displeasure about the activities of Boko Haram.
But Abuja police commissioner, Joseph Mbu said the protestors are now posing a serious security threat to Nigeria, hence the decision to ban it.
The Nigerian State News Agency quoted the Police commissioner as saying that dangerous people affiliated to Boko Haram can join the protests to cause more havoc to the already existing one.
But many rights activists have condemned the decision by the Police. Some believe the order is from the presidency to try and stop the pressure on the government.
In the past, many Nigerians have accused the President of doing little to help the army fight Boko Haram and many still hold this perception against the President.
The government has been facing growing pressure both at home and abroad to do more to locate and rescue the girls to bring them back.
A deal for the release of the abducted schoolgirls was close to being secured in exchange of jailed Boko Haram militants but the Nigerian government called it off at the last minute.
President Goodluck Jonathan said thereafter that the country would never negotiate with terrorist and added that he has ordered the military to eliminate Boko Haram from the country to bring back the peace the country enjoyed previously.
Leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau has said that he would sell the girls at the market if the Nigerian government fails to negotiate for the release of some of his jailed members.
An international rescue operation is still being carried out by the US and its allies to be able to locate and free the Chibok schoolgirls Boko Haram abducted on April 16.
Thousands of people have died since Boko Haram began a violent campaign against the Nigerian government in 2009.
On Monday evening, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) publicly expressed its support for the people of Nigeria, saying members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect are criminals and that they should not be considered as Muslims.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
Writer’s Email Address: Adamsisska@googlemail.com
[adrotate group=”15″]
