Police arrest protesters marching against free speech attacks in Abuja, others

The police operatives on Monday clamped down on protesters under the aegis of the ‘Take It Back’ movement led by former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, and made arrest in different parts of the country.

Penpushing reports that four activists were arrested in Yobe, two in Abuja, and teargassing others in Rivers State, having trooped out to participate in the protest against what they described bad governance and the shrinking space for free speech in the country.

The sources said one male protester identified as ‘Flag Boy,’ and another female protester simply identified as Bose, were arrested by the police around Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Monday.

Penpushing reports that the National Coordinator of ‘Take It Back’ movement, the organisers of the protest,” Juwon Sanyaolu said that as at the time of filing this report four of the comrades have been arrested by the police in Yobe state

“Four of our comrades have also been arrested by the police in Yobe. The police also teargassed protesters in Rivers State as they did in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Sanyaolu emphasised

Penpushing further reports that the organisers explained that the protest is against continued clampdown on citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and bad governance, and called for the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, which is often invoked to arrest, detain and prosecute comments made on social media platforms.

The police had earlier on Sunday, raised concerns about the timing and motive behind the protest noting that the protest was scheduled to take place on the same day that the Nigerian government designated as the National Police Day to honour the service and dedication of police personnel.

Penpushing also reports that the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi n a statement posted on Facebook page, said while the police recognised the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful assembly, the planned protests raised questions about its intent, especially given the significance of the day.

‘The Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such a protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security are to be celebrated, he said.

“Such a glamorous event will bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life, both locally and internationally, including foreign Inspectors-General of Police and diplomats’, Adejobi emphasised

Penpushing reports that the police spokesperson described the protest as ill-timed and mischievous, alleging that it may be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the police and the country.

“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act’, Adejobi wrote.

Penpushing further reports that in reaction, Sowore, however, rejected the claims by the Nigeria police and insisted that the nationwide protest would proceed as planned and repudiated the claim that the protest was organised to undermine the National Police Day celebration.

The leader of the group in a post on his verified Facebook page on Sunday described the statement as an attempt to divert attention from the controversies surrounding the continued stay of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in office.

Penpushing also reports that he called on Egbetokun to retire from the police force having completed 35 years in service, just as others before him have done, arguing that the country needs a reformed police institution.

“Nigeria needs a new police force, not one headed by a spent force IGP utilising diversionary tactics to shift public attention from his shortcomings and scandals,” he said. “Regardless, tomorrow’s protest must go on across Nigeria. Nothing can stop the movement of the people!”, he stated

Penpushing reports that Sowore in 2018 formed the Take It Back movement, a pro-democracy and advocacy group which has consistently campaigned against corruption, abuse of power, and police brutality.

Meanwhile, ‘Take It Back’ Movement’ gained national attention during the #RevolutionNow protests, which called for sweeping reforms in governance and the security sector, while Sowore who contested Nigeria’s 2019 and 2023 presidential elections on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), has been a vocal critic of successive administrations.

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