Police and Protesters Clash during Take-It-Back Movement Protest in Abuja

Protesters and police clashed in Abuja on Monday, April 7 2025, during a large demonstration organised by the Take-It-Back Movement.

The protest, which drew hundreds of activists and civil society groups, was staged against the controversial Cybercrime Act and the emergency rule recently imposed in Rivers State.

The demonstrators, who defied heavy police presence, began their peaceful march in the early hours of the day.

They were seen chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with inscriptions like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe.”

Their aim was to draw attention to what they described as the increasing authoritarianism of the current administration, as well as worsening economic conditions and civil rights violations.

Protest Coincides with Police Day Celebrations

The protest coincided with Police Day celebrations held at Eagles Square. As a result, there was heightened security around the Three Arms Zone in Abuja.

As a precaution, the police had cordoned off parts of the city center to prevent protesters from accessing the area where top police officials were scheduled to attend the ceremony.

Despite these efforts by the police, demonstrators pushed forward with their procession, marching towards the National Assembly.

However, they met a deserted complex as lawmakers are currently on recess and scheduled to resume on April 29.

Tensions flared when security operatives fired tear gas canisters into the crowd to disperse the protesters.

The peaceful protest quickly descended into chaos, with demonstrators fleeing in different directions.

The atmosphere in the area remained tense, though no confirmed injuries or arrests were reported at the time of this publication.

Take-It-Back Movement Key Protest Figures Speak Out

Prominent figures leading the protest included 2023 presidential candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Omoyele Sowore, and renowned human rights activist Deji Adeyanju.

Both leaders condemned the Federal Government’s imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State, which has effectively suspended democratic governance in the region since last month.

In a joint statement, the leaders criticised the increasing clampdown on freedom of expression, the deteriorating state of the economy, and the rising levels of insecurity across Nigeria.

“Nigerians are being pushed to the wall by rising inflation, growing hunger, and political repression,” Sowore stated.

Police Remain Silent

Efforts to get an official response from the Abuja Police Command were unsuccessful, as authorities declined to comment on the incident.

Tear Gas Fired at Protesters in Rivers State, Journalist Arrested

Meanwhile, a similar protest organised by the Take-It-Back Movement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was also met with police resistance.

Protesters, who had converged at Isaac Boro Park and begun marching toward Mile 1 flyover and CFC bus stop, were dispersed with tear gas shortly after the procession began.

According to reports, the police had warned the demonstrators to vacate the area before firing multiple canisters of tear gas.

The protest continued despite the warning.  This led to further confrontation at CFC Junction.

During the chaos, Charles Opurum, a correspondent for Channels Television covering the protest, was arrested by the police but later released.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Amanye King, Rivers State Coordinator for the Take-It-Back Movement, stated:

“We are here peacefully to demand the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and speak against the unconstitutional removal of our elected governor and lawmakers. What we have now is an imposed administration, not one chosen by the people.”

King emphasized that the protest was not aimed at causing unrest but was a demand for a return to democratic governance in Rivers State, calling the current situation “alien” and “undemocratic.”