Nigerians warned against new protests

ABUJA: The Muslim Rights Concern has warned Muslims in Nigeria against participating in a fresh wave of anti-brutality protests. The call came from the group’s director, Ishaq Akintola, yesterday.

Nigerians have since last month taken to the streets, demanding an end to brutality, extra-judicial executions and extortion by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian police force tasked with fighting violent crimes which has since been disbanded.

“Protests are legitimate as long as they are peaceful but the last one was hijacked by disgruntled politicians, religious bigots and ethnic jingoists. The smoke from the burning embers can still be seen above our chimneys,” Akintola said.

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