Islamic group warns Muslims against joining fresh Nigeria protests
Nigerians have since last month taken to the streets, demanding an end to brutality, extrajudicial executions and extortion by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian police force tasked with fighting violent crimes which has since been disbanded.
JOHANNESBURG, November 9 (ANA) – The Muslim Rights Concern has warned Muslims in Nigeria against participating in a fresh wave of anti-brutality protests, the Daily Post reported on Monday.
The publication said the call came from the group’s director Ishaq Akintola via a statement.
Nigerians have since last month taken to the streets, demanding an end to brutality, extrajudicial executions and extortion by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), 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.
“These are people who have been engaging in criminal activities. They have been playing hide and seek with the police and their topmost wish has always been to get rid of all signs of law enforcement agents. Unfortunately innocent but gullible Nigerians played into their hands and became weapons of mass destruction.”
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has been widely criticised for a violent crackdown against the protesters.
Meanwhile, The Nation newspaper reported that 253 people arrested by the police in connection with the so-called #EndSARS protests had been released from custody.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa