Just in: Abuja commutters forced to trek as Police clash with anti-Rivers emergency rule protesters

Abuja commutters were on Monday forced to trek long distances as security agents blocked routes leading to Eagles Square and the Federal Secretariat, where aggrieved Nigerians had planned to stage protests against the contentious cybercrime law and the emergency rule in Rivers State.

Persecondnews observed that riot policemen deployed their vehicles to block the routes leading to the planned protest venue, even before daybreak.

Security agents were seen turning back workers and private individuals who attempted to access their offices via their usual routes, leaving them stranded.

Roads leading to Eagles Square and surrounding areas were congested with commuters and vehicles, resulting in a traffic gridlock as passengers struggled to exit the crowded areas.

Persecondnews recalls that the police authorities announced on Sunday that they had placed their personnel on high alert in anticipation of a fresh nationwide protest scheduled for Monday by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society groups.

The police said they had deployed officers in strategic locations, urging protesters to cancel the planned demonstration.

In a statement on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, questioned the timing of the rally.

He 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 Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.’’

Persecondnews gathered that the protest is aimed at addressing the escalating hardship in the country, the government’s alleged crackdown on civil liberties and the emergency rule in Rivers State.

According to Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, the protest also aimed to address issues surrounding the misuse of the Cybercrime Act, with the group vowing not to back down on the rally.

The protest comes nine months after the #EndBadGovernance protests, which were staged last August to decry the soaring cost of living in the country.

The organizers haannounced that they would converge at the National Assembly in Abuja.

In an interview he granted on Sunday, Sanyaolu said that the organisers are prepared for any form of repression by security agencies.

He 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.

“Interestingly, you will discover that Nigerians are fed up. Recently, we saw the beginning of a 30-day challenge by Nigerians to express their frustrations about the government of the day.”

In an interview with Persecondnews, a visibly sweating resident expressed frustration, questioning sudden staging of protests especially on a Monday mornings without thinking about how it affects others.

He said: “This situation is becoming increasingly worrisome. How can you organize a protest on a Monday morning when you know the security agencies will block the roads?

“They claim that the protest is for the masses’ benefit, but it is the masses who are now suffering. I have been trekking from Appeal Court junction to Glo junction for 20 minutes now.”

Another resident, who simply gave his as Oyima, also lamented the rationale behind recurring protests in the nation’s capital.