Teargas in the Air As Protest Erupts in Abuja Over Economic Hardship, Repression, and Cybercrime Law
A peaceful protest organized by the Take-It-Back Movement and allied civil society groups was forcefully disrupted by police operatives in Abuja today, as demonstrators gathered to decry worsening economic conditions, political repression, and alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act.
The protest, which took place in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory, featured prominent activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. Protesters marched with placards bearing messages such as “Stop the Repression!” and “Let Us Breathe!”, calling for greater accountability and the protection of civil liberties.
However, the demonstration was cut short when police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. The incident occurred amid heightened security for the National Police Day celebrations at Eagle Square, with barricades already mounted around the Three Arms Zone.
Ahead of the protest, the Nigeria Police Force had warned the organizers to cancel the event, describing it as “ill-conceived” and an attempt to undermine Police Day. Despite this, the demonstrators insisted on their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
In response to the unfolding events, the Federal Government acknowledged the legitimacy of the protesters’ concerns. Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, urged for calm while affirming citizens’ right to protest. He, however, warned against any act of violence or destruction of national infrastructure.
The Abuja demonstration was part of a broader wave of nationwide protests, with similar gatherings reported in cities like Lagos. In defiance of police warnings, demonstrators in Lagos also took to the streets, highlighting grievances over governance, economic instability, and fears surrounding the potential declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.
These coordinated actions mark a growing expression of public discontent across Nigeria, as civil society pushes back against what it views as increasing authoritarianism and economic mismanagement