Emergency rule

  Officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday morning fired tear gas at protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, in a bid to disperse crowds demonstrating against government repression and the state of emergency in Rivers. In Port Harcourt, protesters under the aegis of the Take It Back Movement had gathered at the Isaac Boro Park by 9 a.m. to rally against the controversial state of emergency imposed in Rivers and what they described as the misuse of the Cybercrime Act by law enforcement authorities. The demonstration quickly descended into chaos when police officers arrived at the scene and discharged tear gas, forcing protesters to flee in different directions. Eyewitnesses say some of the demonstrators, including journalists covering the event, were physically assaulted by the officers. Members of the group claim they had duly informed the police of their intention to protest in a letter dated April 3, 2025. The protest in Rivers comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara due to escalating political tensions. Meanwhile, in Abuja, a similar protest in the Maitama area was also forcefully dispersed by police operatives. The demonstrators had gathered peacefully to voice their grievances over rising economic hardship, insecurity, and what they labelled increasing authoritarianism by the federal government. The protesters carried placards with slogans such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” drawing attention to the alleged abuse of the Cybercrime Act and the broader human rights situation in the country. Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was among those present in Abuja to lend support to the protest. The nationwide protest was convened by the Take It Back Movement in conjunction with other civil society organisations. In a statement released last Friday, the group’s national coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the demonstration aimed to resist “increasing authoritarianism” and demand urgent relief for Nigerians grappling with inflation and insecurity. Similar protests were also reported in Lagos and several other state capitals across the country