Nigerian Army Uses Trump’s Words to Justify Fatal Shooting of Rock-Throwing Protesters

Monday, 05 November 2018 09:30

Excerpt: "The Nigerian Army, part of a military criticized for rampant human rights abuses, on Friday used the words of President Trump to justify its fatal shootings of rock-throwing protesters."

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria preparing the bodies of members killed when the Nigerian Army opened fire during the group’s protests in the capital Abuja this week. (photo: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters)

Nigerian Army Uses Trump’s Words to Justify Fatal Shooting of Rock-Throwing Protesters

By Dionne Searcey and Emmanuel Akinwotu, The New York Times

05 November 18

he Nigerian Army, part of a military criticized for rampant human rights abuses, on Friday used the words of President Trump to justify its fatal shootings of rock-throwing protesters.

Soldiers fired this Monday on a march of about 1,000 Islamic Shiite activists who had blocked traffic on the outskirts of the capital, Abuja. Videos that circulated on social media showed several protesters hurling rocks at heavily armed soldiers who then shot fleeing demonstrators in the back.

The Nigerian military said three protesters were killed, but the toll appears to have been much higher.

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