Police officers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday morning dispersed a group of protesters with tear gas at Isaac Boro Park. The demonstrators, under the banner of the Take It Back Movement, had gathered around 9am as part of a nationwide protest coordinated alongside other civil society organisations.
The protest, which also took place in the Maitama area of Abuja, aimed to draw attention to growing concerns across the country. Demonstrators voiced opposition to the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the economic hardship currently affecting Nigerians, and the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. They also condemned the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
However, the protest in Port Harcourt was cut short as security operatives fired tear gas into the crowd, forcing protesters to flee for safety. The heavy police presence prevented the demonstration from gaining momentum in the state capital.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, protesters gathered at Ikeja Under Bridge to express their grievances. This protest, like the one in Port Harcourt, is part of the larger nationwide demonstration spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society organisations. The demonstrators in Lagos raised similar concerns regarding the misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the worsening economic conditions, and the political situation in Rivers State.
The nationwide protests are part of a broader call for action to address these pressing national issues. Despite being met with resistance from authorities, the protests are a clear sign of growing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in Nigeria.
