Police Tear-Gas ‘Take-It-Back’ Protesters In Abuja, Lagos, Rivers

BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS – Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday dispersed peaceful protesters with tear gas in Abuja, Lagos and Rivers States as they took to the streets to demand urgent government action on worsening economic conditions.

The protesters are also raising their voices against the alleged rising repression by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, and abuse of the Cybercrime Act by security agencies in the country.

Organized as part of a nationwide demonstration by the Take-It-Back Movement in collaboration with several civil society organizations, the protest coincided with the National Police Day celebrations held at Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the authorities had, as part of the security arrangements for the official event, placed a blockade around the Three Arms Zone, where top police officials were expected to attend the ceremony honouring the service of the Nigeria Police Force.

Human Rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who is a leader of the Movement, and Deji Adeyanju, Human Rights lawyer, were seen leading the protest, and resisting attempts of police officers to take them off the streets, especially in the the Maitama district of Abuja.

The Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” insisting that they were drawing attention to growing wave of authoritarianism under the current administration.

Also, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, leading the mobilisation, was vocal in outlining the key issues fueling the current protest.

According to him, issues bothering the Nigerian people currently are soaring inflation, nationwide insecurity, and what he described as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.

The Take-It-Back Movement said the nationwide demonstration was meant to address what it called the “authoritarianism of President Bola Tinubu administration, abuse of human rights and the misuse of the Cybercrime Act.”

Reports indicated that the protest, which flagged off peacefully, unfortunately descended into chaos when police operatives deployed tear gas canisters with the aim of dispersing the crowd.

As tension continue to run high, the protesters were seen fleeing the scene in different directions and as of press time, there were no confirmed reports of injuries or arrests by the Police.

However, the National Assembly (NASS) complex, earmarked as one of the intended destinations for the protesters, remained largely deserted due to the ongoing legislative recess.

Lawmakers in both chambers of the Assembly are scheduled to resume on 29th April 2025

Police’s disruption of the protest notwithstanding, the Leaders said the demonstration was both necessary and timely, stressing the urgent need for government action to address rising economic hardship, insecurity, and perceived efforts to silence dissent.

In Lagos, considered Nigeria’s commercial capital, the protesters were seen in different groups carrying placards around Ikeja, state capital.

Rivers State was also not left out as the organisers converged on Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, the state capital for the showdown with government.

However, they were tear-gassed by Police operatives before the protest could gained momentum.

The protest was held despite warnings by police authorities that scheduling it to hold on the same day designated by the government as National Police Day was unacceptable.

A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had claimed that the planned protest appears a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police and, by extension, the nation.

According to the statement; “The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called ‘Take it Back Movement’ is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

“While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.

“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horns by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day.

“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is, however, questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.

“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organisers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.”

The Police Spokesperson had urged individuals intending to join the protest to engage in discussions with appropriate government agencies instead of taking to the streets.