Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday morning dispersed a group of protesters with tear gas in the Maitama area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The demonstrators, mobilized under the banner of the Take-It-Back Movement alongside several civil society organisations, had gathered to protest against a range of national issues including economic hardship, alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, and the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as tear gas canisters were fired into the crowd, forcing many protesters to flee for safety. The march had started peacefully, with participants holding placards that read slogans such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe.”
Among those present at the protest was human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who joined the crowd in a show of solidarity.
In a statement issued last Friday, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the nationwide demonstrations were intended to push back against what he described as the “increasing authoritarianism” of the current government, while also demanding urgent action to address rising inflation and growing insecurity across the country.
Despite the disruption in Abuja, similar protests are expected to continue in other parts of the country throughout the week.