On Monday, April 7, 2025, a peaceful protest in Abuja’s Maitama area turned chaotic when police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators. The Take-It-Back Movement organized the protest in collaboration with several civil society organizations to address pressing national issues.
Key Concerns Raised by Protesters:
•Misuse of the Cybercrime Act: Organizers allege that the Act is being used to suppress dissenting voices.
•Economic Hardship: Demonstrators highlighted the escalating economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
•State of Emergency in Rivers State: Protesters expressed concerns over the declaration and its implications.
Participants carried placards with messages like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe.” Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore joined the protest to show solidarity.
The protest coincided with the National Police Day celebrations at Eagle Square in Abuja. Authorities had set up blockades around the Three Arms Zone as part of the event’s security measures. The police had previously advised the organizers to postpone the protest, citing its overlap with the Police Day festivities.
Despite beginning peacefully, the situation escalated when police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, causing panic among the protesters. As of now, there are no confirmed reports of injuries or arrests.
Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, emphasized that the protest aimed to resist what he described as the increasing authoritarianism of the current administration and to demand urgent relief for Nigerians grappling with inflation and insecurity.
The situation in Abuja remains tense, with demonstrators vowing to continue their advocacy for change.