With Instagram, hashtags and bitcoin, young Nigerians boost anti-police protests

Demonstrators queueing up to receive food during a protest over police brutality in Lagos, Nigeria. — Reuters

LAGOS: Ozioma Egemasi says Nigerian police slapped, whipped and struck him with the butt of a pistol when he refused to pay them a bribe. Then he heard them discuss whether to kill him.

The 24-year-old music label manager shared his experience on Instagram, one of thousands of mostly young Nigerians who are taking to social media to speak out against alleged abuses by police and to coordinate ongoing protests.