OFFICERS from the Rivers State Police Command this morning dispersed protesters with teargas at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
The demonstrators, members of the ‘Take It Back Movement,’ had gathered at the venue around 9 a.m. but were met with a heavy police presence.
Despite warnings from officers not to proceed with the protest, the group insisted on their right to assemble.
“We are Rivers people — no one can tell us where we can or cannot gather,” some of the young protesters told the police.
Shortly after, officers reportedly pursued the protesters, physically assaulting some, including journalists covering the event.
The organizers said they had officially notified the police about their planned peaceful demonstration in a letter dated April 3, 2025. One protester emphasized that the group’s intention was to peacefully express their dissatisfaction with current governance.
“Our protest is not violent. We’re here to voice our concerns,” he said, citing issues such as the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“We feel unrepresented. The current administration in Rivers State does not reflect the will of the people. This is supposed to be a democracy — we want our governor reinstated to fulfill his mandate.”
Similar protests have erupted in Lagos, Oyo, and other states, with demonstrators calling for better governance.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force had, yesterday, advised the protest organizers to cancel the planned nationwide demonstrations, citing concerns over timing.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, called the protests “ill-timed” as they coincided with National Police Day, suggesting the move could be interpreted as an attempt to undermine both the police and the country.
“The idea of organizing a nationwide protest on the same day raises suspicion and appears to be a calculated, unpatriotic act that could tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation,” Adejobi stated.
