Organizers of the “Take-It-Back” Movement in Nigeria have confirmed their intention to proceed with planned nationwide protests on April 7, despite opposition from the Nigerian Police Force, which has called the protest “ill-conceived and mischievous.”
The Nigeria Police Force issued a statement criticizing the timing of the demonstration, noting that it coincides with the inaugural National Police Day celebrations, an event that authorities hope will foster unity and morale within the police force.
The protest organizers, however, have vowed to continue their campaign, citing the need to address what they describe as the “authoritarianism” of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, human rights abuses, and the misuse of the Cybercrime Act. The movement’s coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, emphasized the group’s primary demands, which include the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the termination of emergency rule in Rivers State.
The upcoming protest follows a similar demonstration in August 2024, which also mobilized against the government’s handling of “bad governance” and the rising cost of living. That protest disrupted business activities in several states, highlighting the growing discontent among many Nigerians.
While authorities have urged the protest to be canceled, the Take-It-Back Movement has made it clear that they intend to continue advocating for change, signaling that the national unrest over governance issues remains unresolved.
