Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

Police fire tear gas at protesters in Abuja, Port Harcourt

Police on Monday fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the Maitama district area of Abuja and Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The demonstration, which also held Lagos, is part of a larger nationwide action led by the Take It Back Movement (TIB).

In Abuja, the protesters had assembled to air their frustrations on the state of the economy and the emergency rule in Rivers State.

They were however thrown into panic as the police operatives came and deployed several cannisters of tear gas.

The smoke filled the air, forcing many to scamper in different directions for safety.

In Port Harcourt, the protesters had converged at the Isaac Boro Park when the officers stormed the area, deploying tear gas to send the demonstrators in different directions.

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023, led the protest.

“We have informed the political authorities that we will not accept any laws that infringe on our fundamental human rights. We will continue to speak out,” Sowore said.

“The police are aware that we are marching today. They claim to have their own event as well, but we’ve made it clear that theirs cannot interfere with ours.

“We have also informed them that we are heading to the National Assembly. If they wish, they can mobilise and march alongside us.

“In fact, we’ve told Nigerian police officers that the time has come for the people and the police to unite. Together, we can fight to improve both their living and working conditions.

“Nigerian police are among the most mistreated globally, yet they continue to harm those advocating for their welfare. We will not tolerate this any longer.

“While we protest here, Tinubu is busy enjoying himself in France. We will not sit idly while the president continues to suppress our rights.

“We’ve also made it clear that the current inspector general of police, who is leading the programme at Eagle Square today, holds the position unlawfully.

“He has overstayed his tenure after 16 years in power. This is one of the main reasons we are marching today. No one can suppress a powerful idea.

“As we march here today, similar protests are happening in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“These are just the early signs. Very soon, all Nigerians will rise up, and no force will be able to hold them back.”

National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the core demands of the protesters include the repeal of the cybercrime act and the end of emergency rule in Rivers state, which the group described as a “form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had urged the organisers to shelve the protest and encouraged them to dialogue with relevant government institutions.

The demonstration also coincides with the National Police Day celebration on April 7.