Nigeria Bans ‘Bring Back Our Girls’

A hashtag campaign faded and now a physical one is, too. On Monday, Nigerian police banned “Bring Back Our Girls” protests from the capital of Abuja, saying they have “degenerated” and are “now posing a serious security threat.” The movement, which spread quickly through social media and prompted international outrage, was sparked by the mass kidnapping of some 300 girls by terror group Boko Haram in April. The government has acted questionably throughout the crisis, with early allegations that Nigerian first lady Patience Jonathan ordered the detention of two of the protest’s leaders.