Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday used tear gas to disperse protesters in the Maitama area of Abuja, sending the crowd into disarray as many protesters fled for safety.
The peaceful demonstration, organized as part of a nationwide protest led by the Take-It-Back Movement and various civil society organizations, aimed to highlight several pressing national issues. The protesters had gathered earlier in the day to express concerns about the alleged abuse of the Cybercrime Act, the worsening economic conditions in the country, and what they referred to as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
As they marched through the Federal Capital Territory, demonstrators carried placards with messages like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe.” Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was among those present, showing solidarity with the protestors.
In a statement issued last Friday, Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, stated that the protest was in response to what they described as the growing “authoritarianism” of the current administration, and to demand urgent relief for Nigerians grappling with inflation and security challenges.
At the time of filing this report, there have been no reports of injuries or arrests, though the situation remains tense.
BREAKING: Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Abuja Protesters
