Key Points

• Police arrest several protesters as they march against free speech violations in Nigeria.

• ‘Take It Back’ movement leads nationwide protests against bad governance and shrinking free speech.

• Sowore rejects claims that protests were meant to undermine Police Day, calling for reform of the police force.

On Monday, police arrested several protesters across Nigeria. The protest, led by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and his ‘Take It Back’ movement, took place in Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Rivers, Yobe, and other regions.

They rallied against what they called bad governance and the increasing suppression of free speech.

Protesters voiced concerns over the government’s clampdown on citizens’ right to free expression, particularly under the Cybercrime Act.

This law is frequently used to arrest and prosecute individuals for their social media comments.

Arrests and police actions

In Abuja, two activists, ‘Flag Boy’ and Bose, were detained near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Meanwhile, police arrested four more protesters in Yobe.

In Rivers State, officers used tear gas to disperse protesters, just as they did in Abuja.

Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the movement, confirmed the arrests. “Four of our comrades have also been arrested in Yobe,” he said. He added that protesters in Rivers also faced tear gas.

These protests are part of the group’s continuous effort to challenge government overreach and support the right to free speech.

Police warning and Sowore’s response

Before the protests, the Nigeria Police Force raised concerns about the timing of the demonstrations.

They pointed out that the protests coincided with National Police Day, an event designed to honor the police’s contributions to national security.

Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi criticized the protest, calling it “ill-timed and mischievous.” He suggested that it was an attempt to damage the police’s reputation.

Sowore rejected these accusations. He insisted that the protest was not aimed at disrupting National Police Day celebrations.

On his Facebook page, he called the police’s statement a distraction from the controversy surrounding Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s extended tenure.

Sowore urged Egbetokun to retire after 35 years of service, criticizing the police force’s current leadership.

Despite the police’s actions, Sowore remained firm, stating that the protest would continue as planned. “Nothing can stop the movement of the people,” he declared.

The Take It Back movement

The ‘Take It Back’ movement, founded by Sowore in 2018, advocates for democratic reforms and fights against corruption, abuse of power, and police brutality.

Sowore’s group has led several major protests, including the #EndBadGovernance protest in August 2024 and the October 2024 protest calling for an end to corruption, insecurity, and poor governance.

Sowore, a vocal critic of the government, has faced multiple arrests for his activism and role in organizing these protests.