Youths Stage Protests In Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Others Despite Police Warning

The Take It Back (TIB) movement has kicked off its nationwide protests over the alleged misuse of the cybercrime act and the recent declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.

On Monday morning, the protesters, dressed in their trademark orange berets, launched their rally from Ikeja Under Bridge in Lagos, chanting slogans and singing solidarity songs.

The protests are also taking place in Abuja and Rivers state — where demonstrators have been chased with tear gas canisters.

The cybercrime act has been criticised for its “vague provisions”, which have been allegedly used to target opposition voices, journalists, and the average citizen expressing an opinion online.

Juwon Sanyaolu, national coordinator of TIB, 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.

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

On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the prolonged political crisis in the state.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara as governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, the deputy governor; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.

The president appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retird naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)