Nigeria protests: 9 killed by security forces, rights group says [Video]

ABUJA, Nigeria –

Nigerian security forces clashed with protesters during mass demonstrations over the country’s economic crisis, leaving at least nine people dead, a rights group said Friday. One police officer was killed as the military threatened to intervene to quell any violence.

Meanwhile, four people were killed and 34 injured Thursday when a bomb went off in a crowd of protesters in the conflict-hit northeastern state of Borno, authorities said.

Police continued to fire tear gas at protesters in various locations, including the capital of Abuja, as they regrouped on Friday.

The military will also intervene if the looting and destruction of public properties witnessed on Thursday continued, Nigeria’s defence chief Gen. Christopher Musa said. “We will not fold our arms and allow this country to be destroyed,” Musa told reporters in Abuja.

More than 400 protesters had been arrested as of Friday, the Nigerian police said. Curfews were imposed in five …