‘Bring Back Our Girls’ Protests Banned in Nigerian Capital

Nigerian officials have banned demonstrations about the more than 250 kidnapped schoolgirls, outcry which gained momentum internationally through the use of the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

Abuja Police Commissioner Joseph Mbu said the ongoing protests pose a security threat to citizens in the capital city, CNN reports.

Terror group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility in the abduction of around 276 girls from a Chibok boarding school in April. Though some were able to escape, the search for the remaining girls—and the Nigerian government’s lagging response—has sparked both global outcry.

“Information reaching us is that too soon dangerous elements will join the groups under the guise of protest and detonate explosive(s) aimed at embarrassing the government. Accordingly protests on the Chibok Girls is hereby banned with immediate effect,” the commissioner said, CNN reports.

“As the FCT police boss, I cannot fold my hands and watch this lawlessness,” Mbu reportedly said at a Monday news conference.

[CNN]