Police Disperse “Take-It-Back” Protesters With Tear Gas.
Peaceful Take-It-Back protesters demanding urgent reforms were forcefully dispersed with tear gas on Monday by police officers in the Maitama area of Abuja.
The protest, organised by the Take-It-Back Movement in collaboration with several civil society groups, featured prominent human rights advocate and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore among the demonstrators.
Protesters had gathered to voice their frustrations over Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis, escalating insecurity, and what they described as the misuse of the Cybercrime Act to silence dissent.
Chanting slogans and holding placards with inscriptions like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe”, the demonstrators marched peacefully through Maitama, a highbrow district in Abuja.
The protest aimed to reach significant government locations, including the National Assembly complex, though the premises were largely deserted due to a legislative recess.
Tensions escalated when police officers deployed to the scene used tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as protesters scattered for safety. No injuries or arrests were confirmed as of press time.
The protest coincided with the National Police Day celebration at Eagle Square, intensifying the symbolic weight of the clash between demonstrators and law enforcement.
See Also: Gospel Singer Steve Crown Set To Marry Ruth Thomas In April
Speaking after the incident, Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, defended the protest as both lawful and necessary.
“We are in a crisis. People are hungry, scared, and silenced. This protest was our voice — and we will not be intimidated,” he stated.
The demonstration also highlighted wider grievances, including soaring inflation, persistent insecurity, and the political turmoil in Rivers State, which organisers described as a “state of emergency”. Activists accused the current administration of increasingly authoritarian tactics, especially in curbing press freedom and freedom of expression.
Similar protests reportedly took place in Lagos and other parts of the country, where demonstrators defied restrictions to demand justice, accountability, and better governance.
Content Credit: Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola
Image Credit: www.premiumtimesng.com
