The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it had deployed its personnel to strategic locations ahead of a nationwide protest slated for Monday (today) by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society groups, citing several issues such as alleged worsening hardship in the country, the crisis in Rivers state amongst other issues.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, which said, “The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called Take-it-Back Movement is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
“While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including foreign Inspectors-General of Police and diplomats.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.”
He urged the coordinators of the planned protest to shelve their plans and instead use dialogue to engage with the relevant government agencies in order to channel their demands.
However, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu said, “We are undeterred by police attempts to repress the protest, and we are prepared to challenge any possible repression that may arise in the course of our peaceful protest tomorrow.
“What we saw during the #EndBadGovernance protests was a disgrace and affront to the democratic rights of citizens. Many were killed, and minors were arrested. All things being equal, the IG should have left that seat, and the president should not still be in office.”