Young activists under the Take-It-Back Movement defied police warnings on Monday, April 7, 2025, staging protests in Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, and other states.
The demonstrations seek to bring attention to ongoing economic struggles, continued insecurity and alleged shrinking of the democratic space.
In Lagos, demonstrators wearing their signature orange berets began their rally at Ikeja Under Bridge, marching through major roads while chanting solidarity songs. Police officers monitored the procession closely.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had previously asked organizers to cancel the protests, calling them “ill-conceived and mischievous.” However, activist Omoyele Sowore dismissed the police warning, denying claims that the protests were intended to disrupt the National Police Day celebration.
Clashes Erupt in Rivers and Abuja
The protests turned tense in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, already under emergency rule, where police fired tear gas at demonstrators gathered at Isaac Boro Park.
Some protesters resisted, declaring, “Nobody can tell us where not to gather, we are Rivers people.”
Police officers also chased and physically confronted demonstrators, including journalists reporting on the event. Protesters insisted they had informed authorities of their plans in a formal letter dated April 3, 2025.
A protester in Abuja, where security forces similarly dispersed crowds with tear gas, stated, “We are not here for violence. We are here to express our grievances.”
Protest Demands: Economy, Governance, and Rights
The movement listed several grievances, including demands for the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and action against economic hardship.
Protesters carried signs reading “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” calling for better governance and relief for Nigerians struggling with rising inflation and insecurity.
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