Police operatives on Monday fired tear gas to disperse peaceful demonstrators in Abuja’s Maitama district, disrupting a rally organised by the Take-It-Back Movement and allied civil society groups.
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The protest, which coincided with the National Police Day celebrations at Eagle Square, saw participants demand urgent government intervention on pressing economic challenges, insecurity, and the alleged abuse of the Cybercrime Act to suppress dissent.
Protesters carried placards bearing messages such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” calling attention to what they described as growing authoritarianism and a shrinking civic space in Nigeria. Among the demonstrators was human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.
Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, said the protest was driven by escalating inflation, worsening security across the country, and the perceived political crisis in Rivers State, which he described as a “state of emergency.”
Although the rally began peacefully, chaos erupted when security personnel fired tear gas into the crowd, forcing many to flee. A heavy security presence had earlier been stationed around the Three Arms Zone, where authorities had blocked access in anticipation of the demonstration.
Protest organisers insisted the action was necessary, stressing the urgency for the government to address economic hardship and stop moves to stifle opposition voices.
The National Assembly, one of the march’s planned stops, was largely deserted as lawmakers are currently on recess.
