The police and other security agencies forcefully dispersed a peaceful protest on Monday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), firing tear gas and arresting several activists..
The demonstrators are demanding a review of the Cybercrime Act and relief from worsening economic hardship.
The protest, organized by the ‘Take-It-Back Movement,’ alongside civil society groups, was part of a nationwide demonstration against the Tinubu administration’s policies, which the protesters described as authoritarian, abuse of human rights, and the weaponization of the Cybercrime Act to suppress dissent.
Hundreds of protesters had gathered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), brandishing placards with inscriptions such as “Stop the repression,” “Let us breathe,” “End bad governance,” and many others.
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The demonstration, tagged: “Nationwide protest against bad governance and suppression of free speech,” was met with a heavy security presence.
Witnesses report that armed police and military personnel fired tear gas without warning, sending protesters fleeing in panic, with several of them sustaining injuries in the ensuing stampede.
Among those arrested were Bosede Imanah, a well-known activist and Flagboy, a popular social critic
Omoyele Sowore, human rights advocate and former presidential candidate, was also present at the protest, standing in solidarity with the demonstrators.
