On Monday, officers from the Nigeria Police Force used tear gas to disperse protesters in the Maitama district of Abuja. What started as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned chaotic as protesters scattered in response to the gas.
The protest, organized by the Take-It-Back Movement alongside several civil society groups, was part of a larger national call for action.
Demonstrators voiced concerns over the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the country’s deteriorating economic conditions, and what they described as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
Among the protesters was Omoyele Sowore, human rights advocate and former presidential candidate, who held a placard with slogans like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe” as they marched through the streets of the Federal Capital Territory.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, issued a statement explaining that the protest was intended to challenge the increasing authoritarianism of the current government and demand urgent action to address the struggles of Nigerians facing inflation and insecurity.
As of the latest update, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries or arrests, though tensions remain high.
Punch
