Protests against Cybercrime Act, emergency rule, hardship ongoing in Abuja, Lagos, Rivers
Protesters have poured on the streets of the Federal Capital Abuja, Lagos and Rivers States despite repeated warnings by the police.
Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju were leading the Abuja protest, resisting police efforts to take them off the streets.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that Lagos protesters displayed placards in Ikeja, capital of the state. While those of Rivers State converged on Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, but were teargassed before the protest gained momentum.
The protests, according to its organisers, were against the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the worsening economic hardship in the country, and what they described as the “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
The National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said it was a resistance against what he termed the “increasing authoritarianism” of the current administration and demanded urgent relief for Nigerians battling inflation and insecurity.
The nationa’s police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the protest were illegal taking place on the same day for the National Police Day.
He said the planned protest, which was unacceptable, was an attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police and, by extension, the nation.
Adejobi said “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 rubbing 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.”
It warned individuals against joining the protest, and advised them to discuss with appropriate government agencies instead of taking to the streets.
Umoru Faruk Salifu
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umorufaruks007@gmail.com,
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