Earlier this week there was a march in support of Muslim rights in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. According to the New York Times, there were about 1000 protesters who were participating in the march which came to violence as protesters began trowing rocks when military arrived to assist police at a checkpoint.
In Nigeria, there are many police checkpoints throughout various roads and highways to help ensure the safety of drivers and possible pedestrians. The protesters believe that the military acted in haste and error by choosing to open fire on them during their march. The Times is reporting that:
Amnesty International as well as leaders of the protest said more than 40 people were killed at the march and two other smaller marches, with more than 100 wounded by bullets. A Reuters reporter counted 20 bodies at the main march.
The military responded to the human rights groups and Islamic Movement of Nigeria’s outrage with a video by President Trump who endorses military action where he says we will treat rock throwing with the same force as someone who shoots a rifle. If you could remember, Trump has also called Nigeria a shithole country in a previous statement. That remark alone would lead you to believe that Nigerians wouldn’t be so quick to use Trump as an example or guidance to their military tactics.
The report also quotes a statement from John Agim, who is a spokesperson for the army;
“We released that video to say if President Trump can say that rocks are as good as a rifle, who is Amnesty International?” he said. “What are they then saying? What did David use to kill Goliath? So a stone is a weapon.”
“Our soldiers sustained injuries,” he continued. “The Shiites even burnt one of our vehicles so what are Amnesty International saying?”
The Nigerian military has said as many as six soldiers were wounded during the protest after “thousands” of members of the sect overran a police checkpoint and blocked traffic along a highway.
Another leader of a Muslim group Ibrahim Musa was quoted criticizing the Army with saying:
“Rocks are not equal to bullets,” he said. “The use of force is disproportionate. I don’t think President Trump is a good example — even in America many are critical of him. I am surprised that the Army will use Trump as a role model.”
Flip the page to see the video from President Trump regarding using force against those who throw rocks at the military.