Abuja, April 7, 2025 – Some protesters have taken to the streets in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt since Monday morning protesting against the recent declaration of State of emergency and appointment of a sole administrator by President Bola Tinubu.
The protest, organised by the “Take It Back Movement”, is still holding in spite of the warning against it by the police.
In Abuja, the police have mounted road blocks on routes to Eagles Square and the Federal Secretariat where the protesters planned to use as the bases, while the workers found others routes to their offices.
In Lagos, some protesters were seen with placards in Ikeja, capital of the state, in the morning, while the organisers of the protests in Rivers State converged on Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt.
The police authorities had earlier warned against the protest, explaining that the date coincided the National Police Day and was unacceptable.
In a statement, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Spokesman, said: “The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called ‘Take it Back Movement’ is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
“While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.
“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horns by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is, however, questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organisers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous,” the police said.
