The ‘Take-It-Back’ movement has insisted on holding a nationwide protest today in opposition to the emergency rule in Rivers State, which they claim is an abuse of power, as well as what they allege to be human rights violations and misuse of the Cybercrime Act.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force has urged the organizers to abandon their planned protest, criticizing the timing of the demonstration as poorly conceived and mischievous.
The Police Force pointed out that April 7, 2025, is designated as the inaugural National Police Day by the Federal Government.
However, the organizers of the protest have defended their actions, arguing that their call for a demonstration stems from what they see as the “ugly trends” in the country.
The Take-It-Back movement has emphasized that the protest is in response to what they perceive as the “authoritarianism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the abuse of human rights, and the misuse of the Cybercrime Act.”
In August 2024, a large number of protesters, mainly youths, gathered in major cities across the country to demand immediate government action regarding the escalating cost of living, which they linked to the administration’s controversial policies—namely the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the national currency. The protest, dubbed ‘#EndBadGovernanceInNigeriaNow’, saw some demonstrators waving Russian flags, leading to numerous arrests.
President Tinubu addressed the protest on August 4, stating: “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens. But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart.”
Why We’re Protesting Today
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, the national coordinator of the Take-It-Back movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, explained that the protest is a nationwide effort to oppose “bad governance and the suppression of free speech.”
He listed the movement’s demands, including the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the cessation of the emergency rule in Rivers State, which he described as a form of military dictatorship. The protest is scheduled to take place at various locations: protesters in Lagos will assemble at Ikeja Under Bridge, those in Oyo State will gather at Iwo Road in Ibadan, and the Port Harcourt protest will begin at Isaac Boro Park in Rivers State.
Sanyaolu reaffirmed the movement’s determination to proceed with the protest: “We are protesting against the oppression under President Bola Tinubu’s government. We are standing against the suppression of democratic rights and the authoritarian tendencies of this regime. Our aim is to keep the civic gates open so that Nigerians can continue to organize against systemic injustice and bad governance.”
He urged the police and other security agencies to avoid provoking the protesters, emphasizing that they would resist any attempts to disrupt the peaceful demonstration. “We want to caution the police and other security agencies not to provoke protesters by introducing violence into a peaceful protest. They should do their job and ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.
Omoyele Sowore, the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has criticized the continued tenure of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, calling his appointment “illegal” and accusing the police of diversionary tactics to deflect from the controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s appointment. Sowore stated: “Egbetokun must retire after completing his 35 years of service like others have done. Nigeria deserves a new Police Force, not one headed by an outdated IGP.”
He concluded: “Tomorrow’s protest must happen across Nigeria. Nothing can stop the movement of the people! #EgbetokunMustGo #RevolutionNow”
IGP Warns Against Protest on National Police Day
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has cautioned the Take-It-Back movement against going ahead with the nationwide protest, particularly as the police force is set to celebrate National Police Day on the same day.
In a statement issued by the force’s spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Egbetokun reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force respects citizens’ right to peaceful assembly, but expressed concern over the timing of the protest, which coincides with the day set aside to honor the police force for their contributions to national security.
Egbetokun stated: “The Nigerian Government has declared April 7 as National Police Day to celebrate the resilience and dedication of the officers and men of the Force. Holding a nationwide protest on the same day raises questions and appears to be a deliberate attempt to malign the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.”
The IGP advised the protest organizers to reconsider their actions, describing the timing as ill-conceived and mischievous. He urged the organizers to seek dialogue and engage with the appropriate government institutions to press their demands, rather than staging a protest that could disrupt the celebration of the police force’s contributions to the nation.
He further emphasized that the police would continue to fulfill their mandate in line with the law, respecting the rights of citizens while ensuring the safety and security of all.