Protesters on the platform of ‘Take It Back Movement’ and other civil society organisations made good their threat yesterday as they stormed some major cities, including the nation’s capital, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Ibadan, Oyo State and Osogbo in Osun State, to ventilate their anger.
The action was part of a broader nationwide demonstration to draw the attention of the government to economic hardship, alleged government’s repression, growing insecurity across the country, the emergency rule in Rivers and the alleged misuse of the cybercrime act by the police. A statement released last Friday by the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest was aimed at resisting what he termed “increasing authoritarianism” of the current administration and to demand urgent relief for Nigerians battling inflation and insecurity.
The demonstrator, majorly youths, defied directives by the police to stave off their action. One of the reasons given by the security agency was that it conflicted with the inaugural edition of the National Police Day.
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For failing to obey orders to suspend action, police operatives in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, hauled teargas canisters to disperse the protesters and quell the demonstration.
In the FCT, two of the protesters were picked up as operatives hauuled teargas canisters at the gathering, which had begun to gather momentum as early as 8am.
The police action triggered panic, forcing protesters and journalists covering the protest to scamper for safety.
One of the leaders of the protest in Abuja, Rex Elanu, confirmed the arrest to journalists. “Our protest was violently dispersed. Bosede and Flagboy have been arrested. Flagboy is the one you saw carrying the Nigerian flag,” Elanu said.
The demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” and marched through the streets of the Federal Capital Territory.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was present at the protest ground to show solidarity with the movement.
In Port Harcourt, some protesters and journalists covering the protest were teargassed, rough-handled and injured by the police.
A journalist (name also withheld) reporting for a prominent television station was arrested but later released after identification.
The protesters had converged on the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt to rally against the emergency rule in Rivers and the alleged misuse of the cybercrime act by the police.
The demonstrators had arrived at the protest venue as early as 9am when police officers showed up to send them scurrying in different directions.
One of the protesters told the policemen who warned them not to hold the protest, that, “Nobody can tell us where not to gather; we are Rivers people.”
Another protester had told reporters that the ‘peaceful protest’ was to express their grievances to the government.
The protesters had earlier told the policemen that they had informed the Rivers State Police Command about their intention to stage the demonstration in a letter dated April 3.
Meanwhile, police have denied opening fire on the protesters and dispersing them with tear gas as reported on various social media platforms.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement in Port Harcourt, said police officers dispersed miscreants dispossessing members of the public of their belongings.
Iringe-Koko stated: “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of the false story currently circulating on various social media platforms alleging that police officers opened fire on protesters and used tear gas to disperse them on Monday, April 7, 2025, around Abali Park and the Federal Secretariat Complex, Aba Road.
“The Command wishes to categorically clarify that the report is unfounded. Upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, our officers were promptly deployed to the specified locations.
“On arrival, a group of miscreants was observed engaging in criminal acts, including the theft of mobile phones and other valuables from unsuspecting members of the public. Our operatives responded swiftly, dispersing the individuals.”
According to her, the reports on social media platforms were intended to cause panic and disaffection in the minds of members of the public.
“This baseless story appears to be a deliberate fabrication by mischief makers seeking to incite public anxiety and create unnecessary tension within the state.”
The PPRO urged members of the public to disregard such unfounded claims and remain assured of their safety.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Rivers State in a professional, lawful and community-friendly manner,” she said.
In Ibadan, the protesters, who braved a heavy security presence, were predominantly young members of the African Action Congress (AAC).
The protests, which began from Iwo Road, spread to other parts of the state capital, including Idi-Ape, and Mokola Roundabouts. The protesters demanded changes to legislation perceived as stifling freedom of expression in the Cybercrime Act.
The demonstrators sang solidarity songs and chanted slogans as they called for an overhaul of the legislation, which some argued criminalises even the mildest online critiques of public officials.
The state coordinator, Take It Back Movement, Dimeji Salako, criticised the Cybercrime Act, enacted initially to combat cyber threats.
He argued that the Act has been weaponized by the government and police to suppress dissenting voices.
“This law has become a tool of oppression, targeting activists, journalists and those who dare to criticise the government.”
Salako condemned attempts to silence citizens in a manner akin to the censorship found in repressive regimes.
The state Chairman of the AAC, Kayode Babayomi, added: “This law is unjustly imprisoning those who simply wish to express their opinions. Our voice is our right and we will not remain silent.”
He pointed to Section 24 of the Act, which makes it illegal to “insult” someone online, warning that it could lead to jail term for merely expressing opposition to political figures.
“Today, it’s journalists; tomorrow it could be anyone. The Cybercrime Act is designed to silence the Nigerian people, but we stand united against it,” Babayomi said.
In Lagos, the protest was abruptly halted by security forces.
The protesters, who had gathered at Ikeja Roundabout in the early hours of the day, voiced their frustrations over the state of governance and the rising challenges faced by citizens.
The protesters, carrying placards and chanting slogans, began their march towards the Alausa Secretariat, the seat of the Lagos State Government, in a show of solidarity and demand for change.
However, their progress was interrupted when security personnel, including police officers and other law enforcement agencies, intercepted the group near the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Tensions escalated when security forces raised concerns over public order and safety, and ordered the protesters to disperse.
Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the authorities were determined to prevent any disruption to normal activities.
But, the Lagos State Police Command described the protest as peaceful.
The State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, at a press briefing immediately after the protesters dispersed to their various destinations, said: “It was a peaceful protest. We didn’t apply any force, no teargas canisters and bullets were fired. There was no confrontation.”
The CP, who was represented by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “I would like to commend the protesters for conducting themselves in an orderly manner. They made their points, but they organised themselves in an orderly manner. No destruction of any property. We had no confrontation with each order.
“You can see massive deployment of police personnel all over the state. We did not deploy them to intimate anyone, but to maintain law and order in the state and to assure the members of the public that we are alive and on top of any situation. We want them to move freely without fear of intimidation. We are fully on the ground. We are also on the ground to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the peaceful protest and cashing in on the situation to start robbing people of their personal effects.”
