Take It Back Movement defies police warning as protesters call for Cybercrime Act repeal
Take It Back Movement protesters hit the streets on Monday, calling for the repeal of the Cybercrime Act despite the Nigerian police warning against the protest.
Protesters across Oyo, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto State, and the Federal Capital Territory marched on the streets, demanding that the Cybercrime Act be repealed.
At Ikeja Under Bridge in Lagos, protesters, led by Juwon Sanyaolu, the group’s national coordinator, carried placards and banners with various inscriptions.
“Any law that forbids us from speaking our truths against oppression in Nigeria is no longer a law but shackles of slavery,” a banner held by the protesters read.
Similarly, in Abuja, Omoyele Sowore-led protesters chanted solidarity songs.
“We are here today because we are told the Tinubu regime that we will not accept the clause that curtails our fundamental human rights to freely express ourselves,” Mr Sowore said.
Berating President Bola Tinubu for jetting out of the country to France to “enjoy himself” while his government censored citizens, Mr Sowore said, “Today, we have told the police it is time for them to join hands with the people too so that they can improve their life condition.”
He added, “They are worst paid in the world, but they keep killing those fighting for them. We are not going to take that anymore. While we are here, Tinubu is enjoying himself in France. We are not going to try back while and absentee president is sponsoring our rights.”
In Abuja and Port Harcourt, the police later fired tear gas to disperse protesters, forcing them to scamper for safety. However, Monday’s protests were held in different cities nationwide despite Nigerian police warning that the protests should be cancelled because it coincided with National Police Day.
In a statement on Sunday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the Nigerian police, said the protest calling for the repeal of the Cybercrime Act was ill-timed and should be cancelled.
“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its police institution, the Nigerian government has taken the bull by the horns by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day,” Mr Adejobi said. “The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organisers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.”
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