PORT HARCOURT — What began as a peaceful protest on Monday morning quickly turned into a scene of chaos and repression as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force unleashed teargas on demonstrators gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt. The protest, organized by the pro-democracy Take It Back Movement, was one of several simultaneous demonstrations erupting across major Nigerian cities, including Lagos and Ibadan.
By 9 a.m., protesters had assembled with placards and chants, voicing dissent against rising authoritarianism, the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the controversial Cybercrime Act. But what they were met with was far from democratic engagement.
Eyewitnesses described a heavy police presence that escalated into a violent crackdown. Officers fired teargas canisters into the crowd, chased down demonstrators, and allegedly beat several—including members of the press documenting the scene.
“We’re not here for violence. We just want our voices heard,” said one protester before the attack. The group had, according to organizers, duly notified authorities of their intention to protest in a letter dated April 3, 2025.
“This was a peaceful demonstration,” said the South-South regional coordinator of the Take It Back Movement in a phone interview. “But the police responded with brutality. Some of our comrades were beaten and arrested. Even journalists were not spared.”
Police authorities have yet to offer an official explanation. When contacted, Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said she would “get back” with details, but no statement had been issued as of the time of reporting.
A Nationwide Cry for Freedom
The Port Harcourt incident is not isolated. Across Nigeria, young people are rising in what some are calling the country’s most coordinated pro-democracy movement in recent years.
In Lagos, crowds poured into major streets, brandishing banners with bold messages: “Silence is not peace.” “The Cybercrime Act is a Gag Law.” “Speak Now or Forever Be Muzzled.” The atmosphere was electric, despite attempts by security forces to suppress momentum.
Ibadan’s Iwo Road saw a similar defiance. Protesters livestreamed the event on TikTok, with one viral clip capturing the mood of the moment:
“The moment they take away our freedom of speech, they steal our power to fight back. This is about all of us—this is about Nigeria.”
Protesters in all three cities condemned the Cybercrime Act as a weaponised tool used to criminalise free speech, silence journalists, and intimidate critics of the government. Activists insist the law must be repealed to protect Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
Despite claims that police were deployed to maintain law and order, demonstrators say their overwhelming presence felt more like intimidation than protection.
“What we witnessed today is state-sponsored fear,” one protester shouted from behind a face mask soaked with tears and teargas.
As Nigeria enters a volatile political moment, many fear that the brutal suppression of peaceful protests is just the beginning of a broader assault on constitutional rights. But the voices on the streets are growing louder, more determined, and more united than ever.
“We’re not afraid,” said another protester. “Because freedom is worth the fight.”
