Police forces across Nigeria are on high alert ahead of a nationwide protest planned for Monday, April 7, 2025, by the Take-It-Back Movement and several civil society organizations.
The protest, which is set to address issues including economic hardship, the misuse of the Cybercrime Act, and the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, has prompted the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to deploy officers to strategic locations nationwide.
The protest is also a response to what organizers describe as increasing suppression of civil liberties. Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, emphasized that the rally would go ahead despite potential efforts by security agencies to repress it. “We are undeterred by police attempts to repress the protest, and we are prepared to challenge any possible repression,” Sanyaolu said.
The protest coincides with National Police Day, a day set aside by the government to celebrate the achievements of Nigeria’s police force. The NPF has criticized the timing of the protest, calling it “ill-timed and mischievous.” Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi remarked, “The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt to malign the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.”
While police forces in various states, including Lagos and Adamawa, are bracing for disruptions, the organizers remain firm in their resolve. “We will not be deterred by threats of clampdown,” said Adenola Michael, one of the protest coordinators in Abuja. “We will surely exercise our right to protest in defense of our dying democracy.”
The police have warned that any violence or disruption during the protest will not be tolerated. Several state police commands, including those in Ogun and Kwara, have assured the public of increased security to maintain order.