As the economic conditions in the country continue to worsen, Nigerians have once again taken to the streets to express their frustrations over the ongoing hardships. On Monday, April 7, a nationwide protest organized by the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, led by Omoyele Sowore, saw thousands of demonstrators gather in various locations across the nation, including major cities such as Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, despite repeated warnings from law enforcement against the demonstrations.

Earlier last week, the Nigerian Police Force had urged the organizers to cancel the protest, citing its occurrence during the National Police Day celebrations. The police criticized the protests as “ill-timed” and cautioned that they could negatively impact the country’s reputation.

Nevertheless, the Take It Back Movement remained resolute in its commitment to advocate for good governance and political accountability, as evidenced by the protests on Monday. These demonstrations highlight the increasing discontent with the current political landscape in Nigeria, with citizens increasingly demanding a return to democratic values and effective leadership. Concerns over the government’s inability to address the needs of the populace have intensified, leading to louder calls for improved governance and accountability.

In Abuja, activist and movement leader Omoyele Sowore was joined by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju as they led the demonstrators, defying police attempts to disperse the crowd with tear gas. In Lagos, protesters were seen carrying placards in Ikeja, the state capital, but as they marched toward the government headquarters in Alausa, they were forcibly dispersed by police who deployed tear gas against them.

In Osogbo, Take it Back Movement urged Nigerians not to be cowed

In Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, supporters of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement engaged in a peaceful demonstration, urging Nigerians to overcome their fears and voice their concerns regarding the nation’s declining condition.

The protesters chanted slogans such as “Tinubu is a thief!” and “Èbí ò!”—a Yoruba expression meaning “We are hungry!”—expressing their discontent with the escalating poverty, food inflation, and overall economic downturn under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Although the turnout was modest, the demonstrators commenced their march from the Correspondents’ Chapel at Olaiya Junction, proceeding through Orisumbare Market, where they attracted the attention of onlookers and local vendors, before returning to Olaiya and dispersing peacefully.

During the protest, group members criticized what they termed the increasing authoritarianism of the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government. They condemned the arrests and detentions of individuals who dared to challenge government policies, labeling these actions as a calculated effort to suppress dissent.

“They aim to instill fear in Nigerians, but we refuse to be silenced while people suffer from hunger, unemployment, and despair. It is time for Nigerians to raise their voices and demand more from those in power.”

The demonstration was closely observed by personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, who accompanied the protesters throughout the march to deter any potential disruptions by troublemakers. The TIB Movement, known for its criticism of governance failures over the years, stated that this protest marks the beginning of a broader national movement if the government does not take action to alleviate the economic crisis affecting millions of Nigerians.

As the protest concluded, the group reaffirmed its call for Nigerians to resist oppression and persist in demanding good governance and accountability.

In Rivers Protesters Demand Governor’s Return as Police Clash With Demonstrators

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the protest on Monday primarily focused on the call to terminate the state of emergency and restore democratic governance, as members of the ‘Take It Back Movement’ convened at Isaac Boro Park to advocate for the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The demonstrators had previously notified the police of their planned protest in a letter dated April 3, 2025, urging an end to the current administration imposed by Abuja, which they deemed unconstitutional. As the protesters assembled around 9 a.m., they encountered a significant police presence, leading to heightened tensions as officers cautioned them against proceeding with their rally.

One protester asserted, “Nobody can tell us where not to gather; we are Rivers people,” emphasizing their right to peaceful assembly. Despite the police’s warnings, the protesters persisted with their demonstration, which soon escalated into a confrontational situation. The police responded by deploying tear gas, resulting in chaos as officers pursued the demonstrators throughout the park. Reports indicated that several protesters, including journalists covering the event, were assaulted by the police during the altercation.

The protest centered on two key demands: the repeal of the contentious Cybercrime Act and the reinstatement of Governor Fubara. One protester, addressing reporters, stated, “We have no government. This administration is foreign to our people. We demand our governor returns to office and leads us. We have a contract with him, not with an unelected administrator.”

Amnesty International Decries Police attack on peaceful protesters

Amnesty International (AI), a global human rights organization, has denounced the assault and use of tear gas against Nigerians demonstrating under the Take-It-Back Movement. The organization expressed its dismay over the actions of security forces targeting protesters in Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and other cities.

In a statement shared on its X account on Monday, April 7, AI voiced its serious concerns regarding police conduct during demonstrations opposing the Cybercrime Act and the prevailing economic difficulties in the nation. Protesters, particularly those in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, who were led by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, faced tear gas during their march. Reports also indicated that several protesters were arrested by the police.

In response to these incidents, AI stated, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned by security forces’ attacks on protesters in Abuja and Port Harcourt.” The organization highlighted that protesters and journalists were subjected to violence in Port Harcourt. Furthermore, it reported that four activists were unlawfully detained in Damaturu, Yobe State, emphasizing that such violations are intolerable and warrant thorough investigation.

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