April 7, 2025
The #Take-it-back movement protesters took to the streets of Abuja and Lagos on Monday in exercise of their right to protest despite repeated warnings and calls for cancellation from the police.
The demonstrations, organised by the Take It Back Movement, were either ongoing or underway in several state across the country.
The national coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the core demands of the protesters included the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and end of emergency rule in Rivers State, which it described as a “form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”
In Abuja, activist and movement leader Omoyele Sowore was joined by Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, as they led demonstrators in defiance of police efforts to disperse them.
In Lagos, a group of protesters was seen with placards in Ikeja, the state capital, continuing their march.
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier issued a strong statement condemning the protest’s timing, as it coincided with National Police Day, a day set aside to honour officers of the Force by the federal government.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the protest “appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police and, by extension, the nation.”
Excerpts from Adejobi’s statement read; “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.”
READ MORE; Rivers Police Fires Tear Gas To Disperse Take-It-Back Protesters.
“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.”
