On Monday, there was a big protest across several states in Nigeria. A group called the Take-It-Back Movement planned the protest because they were upset about several things happening in the country. However, the police tried to stop the protest in many places, which made people angry.
Why Were People Protesting?
The protesters wanted to tell the government that they were unhappy about:
- The government declared a state of emergency in Rivers State.
- The use of a law called the Cyber Crime Act, which they believe is being used to stop people from speaking freely.
- The high cost of living and how hard life has become for many Nigerians.
- The demolition of houses in places like Oworonshoki, Lagos.
- The way some young people are being charged with treason after they protested bad leadership in the past.
What Happened During the Protest?
The protest started early in the morning, around 7am, in cities like Abuja (the capital), Lagos, and Port Harcourt. People carried signs and sang songs to show what they wanted.
But in many places, the police and other security agents tried to stop the protest by blocking roads, firing tear gas, and even using helicopters in Abuja. Some protesters were arrested. Two people named Flagboy and Bosede were taken by the police.
In Lagos, the protesters wanted to deliver a letter to the State House of Assembly, but police officers and even soldiers blocked the road. No lawmakers came out to talk to the protesters, and the group was forced to leave after about two hours.
In Rivers State (Port Harcourt), things got more violent. The police fired tear gas and even shot into the air. A protester named King Amanyie was hit in the leg with a tear gas canister and had to go to the hospital. Some journalists were also hurt or arrested, but later released.
However, in some places like Osogbo and Ibadan, the protests were peaceful. Police followed the protesters but didn’t stop them.
What Did People Say About It?
Many groups, like Amnesty International and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, were not happy with how the police acted. They said that everyone has the right to protest peacefully and should not be attacked for speaking up.
Isa Sanusi, the leader of Amnesty International in Nigeria, said:
“People have the right to come together and talk about what they don’t like. The job of the police is to keep them safe, not to hurt them.”
Musa Rafsanjani, another human rights leader, said:
“One day, the police officers will also retire and may need to protest if their pensions are not paid. So they should treat protesters better.”
What Did the Police Say?
The police in Rivers State said they did not shoot at the protesters. They claimed they were only trying to stop criminals who were stealing from people during the protest.
What’s Next?
The protest group, led by Juwon Sanyaolu, said this was just a warning. If the government does not listen, they plan to hold another, bigger protest in August 2025. They want the government to:
- End the emergency in Rivers State.
- Cancel the Cyber Crime Act.
- Stop demolishing people’s homes.
- Release everyone arrested during the protests.
The Law in Lagos
The Lagos State Government reminded everyone that protests are only allowed in two places: Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu. The government said anyone protesting outside those places could be punished if anything goes wrong.
