Yobe Students Massacre: Nigeria Police ‘forcefully’ disperses protesters

Protesters are demanding real action on Boko Haram menace

The Nigeria Police, Thursday, quashed a peaceful protest against the incessant Boko Haram killings in northeast Nigeria and government’s apparent failure in bringing an end to them.

The protest, which took place at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, was organised by a group called Nigerian Youths Protest Against Boko Haram, headed by Ibrahim Wala.

The protest was in reaction to Tuesday’s killing of at least 29 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State by suspected Boko Haram members. The Goodluck Jonathan government has been criticised by the public as well as civil and opposition groups of not doing enough to mourn and also to prevent such attacks.

According to Mr. Wala, as the protest took off, hundreds of armed officers stormed the venue arresting and briefly detaining 10 of the protest organisers and dispersing the remaining protesters with tear gas.

“Some journalists were molested in the process,” Mr.  Wala told PREMIUM TIMES.

He alleged that the police, backed by the State Security Service, SSS, unleashed brutal force on the protesters, adding that the group remained undeterred and would continue their protest.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the FCT police command spokesperson, Altine Daniel, she refused to comment, saying that she was sick and did not know what was going on in her command.

She also claimed she did not know who was acting for her or who could speak for the command in her absence.

The FCT police commissioner, Joseph Mbu, could also not be reached as he refused to pick his calls.

Mr. Mbu was recently transferred to Abuja after a controversial period as Rivers Police Commissioner. He was accused by the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, of stopping pro-government protests and shooting at protesters, while encouraging opponents of the governor.

Mr. Amaechi and his party, the All Progressives Congress, repeatedly called for the removal of Mr. Mbu as Rivers Police Commissioner. The police chief was subsequently transferred to Abuja.