Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday fired tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters in the Maitama area of Abuja, throwing the demonstrators into chaos as many fled for safety.
The protest, part of a nationwide demonstration led by the Take-It-Back Movement in collaboration with various civil society groups, sought to draw attention to several national issues.
Key among the concerns raised by the organisers are the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the worsening economic hardship in the country, and what they described as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
The demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” as they marched through the streets of the Federal Capital Territory.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was also present at the protest ground to show solidarity with the movement.
In a statement released last Friday, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest was aimed at resisting what he termed the “increasing authoritarianism” of the current administration and to demand urgent relief for Nigerians battling inflation and insecurity.
As of the time of reporting, no injuries or arrests had been confirmed, though the atmosphere in the area remained tense.
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