To Protest Against Cybercrime, State Of Emergency
By Akinwale Kasali
“Police tear-gas protesters in Abuja”
Despite the warnings by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against the Nationwide Protest against Cybercrime and the State of Emergency Rule in Rivers State, protesters remained defiant. They converged at Abuja and Lagos. In Lagos, protesters converged at the Ikeja “Under- Bridge” chanting solidarity songs.
The protest organized by the “Take It Back Movement”, TIBM, saw hundreds of participants proceeding towards the Lagos State Government House and the State House of Assembly in Alausa from the popular Ikeja Under-Bridge to voice their concerns.
The demonstration was led by the National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, as protesters continued their procession toward Alausa, en route to Ojota and Gani Fawehinmi Park, where Sanyaolu is expected to address the gathering.
Though there was presence of tight security around the area, the demonstration remained peaceful.
It would be recalled that In a statement released on Sunday by the Police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the protest was described as “ill-timed,” particularly because it coincided with the newly designated National Police Day.
“In line with global best practices in celebrating police institutions, the Nigerian Government has declared April 7 as National Police Day,” the statement read.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is questionable and perceived as a deliberate and unpatriotic act aimed at maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole,” the police statement continued.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve the planned protest.”
In Abuja, Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force dispersed the peaceful protesters with tear gas in the Maitama area of Abuja, as demonstrators took to the streets to demand urgent Government action on worsening economic conditions, rising repression, the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and the State of Emergency Rule in Rivers State.
The Protest coincides with the National Police Day celebrations being held at Eagle Square, In Abuja.
As part of the security arrangements for the official event, authorities had placed a blockade around the Three Arms Zone, where top police officials were expected to attend the ceremony honoring the service of the Nigeria Police Force.
Protesters — including human rights activist and former Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore — carried placards with messages such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” aimed at drawing attention to what the organizers described as a growing wave of authoritarianism under the current administration.
It was gathered that the protest began peacefully, before it descended into chaos when Police Operatives deployed tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. Protesters were seen fleeing the area, with tensions running high.
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