Tension as Protesters Defy Police, Storm Streets in Abuja, Lagos, Others
- A group of Nigerians under the aegis of the ‘Take It Back’ movement, on Monday, April 7, took to the streets of Lagos, Abuja, and other places in protest against what they described as bad governance
- The protesters chanted solidarity songs, “We are hungry! What are we saying?” they echoed in unison, drawing attention from bystanders and passersby
- Legit.ng reports that the protest coincided with the National Police Day celebrations held at Eagle Square, Abuja
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Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro, civil society organisations, and others.
FCT, Abuja - Protesters are currently out on the streets of Abuja and Lagos state to show their grievance about the current state of the nation.
As reported by Daily Trust on Monday morning, April 7, the protests organised by the Take It Back Movement are ongoing despite repeated warnings by the police.
Source: Facebook
In Abuja, Omoyele Sowore, a leader of the movement, and Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, were seen leading the protest, resisting attempts by police officers to take them off the streets. The defiance by the activists caused tension in the Nigerian capital city.
Channels Television shared a video of the protesters on the streets.
In Lagos, a group of protesters were seen with placards in Ikeja, the capital of the state.
In Rivers, the organisers converged on Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt but were teargassed before the protest gained momentum.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, leader of the ‘Take It Back’ movement in Rivers state, Amaye King Amaye, said the group will regroup to ensure that the voices of Rivers people were heard.
Source: Facebook
Amaye said they staged the protest over alleged anti-people’s policies by the federal government and to reinstall the democratically elected governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara.
Legit.ng recalls that police authorities warned against the protest, saying that scheduling it to be held on the same day designated by the government as National Police Day was unacceptable.
In a statement, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the national spokesperson of the Nigerian police, stated that the planned protest appears to be a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of the Nigerian police and, by extension, the nation.
The statement called on individuals intending to join the protest to engage in discussions with appropriate government agencies instead of taking to the streets.
Nigerians complain amidst economic hardship
Meanwhile, for the average Nigerian, the rising cost of food items has become a harsh reality.
Speaking to Legit.ng, a trader, Salamot Hassan, lamented the dwindling purchasing power of customers.
She said:
“A kilo of chicken that sold for N3,800 this time last year now goes for N6,000 or more.
“Customers complain everyday and many leave without buying. It’s hard for us too because we have to make a profit.”
Chika Nwaneri, a major vegetable oil dealer, said:
“There is no brand of vegetable oil that is cheap in the market now. Even those who opt for the unbranded ones, it's not that cheap anymore. And you would either want to cook with vegetable oil or palm oil. The government should listen to the cries of the people."
Read more on state of the nation:
- Media chat: Atiku's aide reacts to Tinubu's economic reform stance: "I was disappointed"
- Top PDP chieftain reacts as Tinubu claims Nigeria is experiencing better days
- Wike mentions what Nigerians should do about Tinubu’s policies
- Prominent Nigerian pastor urges Tinubu to 'switch from campaign to governance': “God is watching you”
Nigerians react as Sowore fronts call for nationwide protest
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigerians on social media reacted after it appeared Sowore led the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria charge.
Sowore announced the locations of protest coordinators across Nigeria for the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstration.
In the same vein, speaking on Nigeria Info FM 99.3, the African Action Congress (AAC) chieftain asserted that there is a massive desire by Nigerians to revolt against their sociopolitical conditions.
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Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.
Nkem Ikeke (Copy editor) Nkem Ikeke is currently a copy editor who also writes for the politics and current affairs desk on weekends. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2010), and has over 10 years of work experience in the media industry (Reporter, News Agency of Nigeria). Email: n.ikeke@corp.legit.ng
