Protesters under the banner of the Take It Back Movement were dispersed with teargas by officers of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday morning as they gathered at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, to express dissatisfaction over rising economic hardship and political developments in the state.
The protest, which began around 9am, was met with heavy police presence. According to eyewitnesses and media reports, several protesters and journalists covering the event were reportedly manhandled as the police chased down demonstrators.
The protesters said they had earlier informed the police of their intention to stage what they described as a peaceful protest through a letter dated April 3, 2025. They had planned to voice grievances over the Cybercrime Act, worsening economic conditions, and what they labelled the “emergency rule” in Rivers State.
“As it is, we have no government,” one protester said, alleging that the leadership in the state no longer reflected the will of the people. “We have a social contract with the governor, not a sole administrator. This is a democracy.”
Chants of “We are Rivers people, nobody can tell us where not to gather” echoed as demonstrators resisted calls from the police to disperse, before officers responded with force.
The Take It Back Movement also staged protests in Lagos, Oyo and some other parts of the country,
In response, police authorities had on Sunday urged the group to suspend the nationwide protests, citing security concerns and broader national challenges.
