Despite the advice by the Nigeria Police Force for the organisers of the much-advertised nation-wide protest by the “Take It Back Movement” to shelve the exercise which it described as “ill-timed and mischievous,” more so when it clashed with the National Police Day, the protest went on as planned.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that scores of protesters took to the streets of some state capitals as well as Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT. From Abuja, to Lagos, Port Harcourt and up north, the protesters had a running battle with security operatives who tried to disperse them.
In Abuja, Omoyele Sowore, a leader of the movement, and former presidential candidate of the AA, and Deji Adeyanju, human rights lawyer, led the protest, resisting attempts by police officers to take them off the streets.
In Lagos, a group of protesters was seen with placards in Ikeja, capital of the state.
In Rivers, the organisers, who had converged on Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, were teargassed before the protest gained momentum.
The police authorities had warned against the protest, saying scheduling it to hold on the same day designated by the government as National Police Day was unacceptable.
In a statement, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said the planned protest appeared to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police and, by extension, the nation.
According to Adejobi, “The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called ‘Take it Back Movement’ is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
“While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.
“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horns by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is, however, questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organisers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.”
The police advised individuals intending to join the protest to engage in discussions with appropriate government agencies instead of taking to the streets.