#BringBackOurGirls Abuja Family Decries Renewed Harassment by the Nigerian Police

By Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman
(Press Statement)The Abuja Family of the #BringBackOurGirls Campaign, in keeping with its sustained advocacy on placing the abduction of the Chibok girls at the centre of national discourse until the girls are rescued, wrote and got approval to meet with the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives earlier today.
Sadly, in keeping up with its pattern of harassment and intimidation of members of our movement, the Nigerian Police Force detached heavily armed policemen who prevented our members from entering a coaster bus hired to convey us from the Unity Fountain to the National Assembly to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly. Following this unlawful obstruction and seizure, we decided to proceed in our private cars.
At the National Assembly, the Nigerian Police Force sealed off all exits and entrances into the assembly complex, thus denying us – harmless citizens – any access to keep our appointment with elected representatives of the people.
As a group, we once again remind the Nigerian police that its constitutional responsibility in a democracy is to provide citizens safety and security while maintaining law and order.
We are widely acknowledged as a very disciplined civic movement, and we therefore find the constant infringement upon our fundamental human rights as not only unconstitutional but repugnant in a democracy.
As we count 92 days since the over 200 Chibok girls have been abducted, we also call on Government to focus its energy on ensuring that our girls are rescued safe and alive within the shortest possible time rather than continue to use intimidation tactics and military-rule styled repression on peaceful protesters.
We shall not be discouraged, distracted or diverted from our single cause. As a group, we shall remain resolute in exploring all peaceful options to continue to convey our demand on the Federal Government to #BringBackOurGirls Now and ALIVE!