From Victor Osula, Abuja
Security operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, on Monday, fired teargas to disperse protesters in Abuja and Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Take-It-Back Movement organised the protest in collaboration with several civil society organisations over soaring inflation, nationwide insecurity, and the “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
In a statement last Friday, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest is aimed at resisting what he termed the “increasing authoritarianism” of the current administration and demanding urgent relief for Nigerians battling inflation and insecurity.
The Nigeria Police, however, advised the organisers to shelve their plans.
In Abuja, the protesters, including Omoyele Sowore, Convener of #RevolutionNow Movement and publisher of SaharaReporters, gathered at the Maitama area of the FCT to express their grievances
Armed with placards with inscriptions “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe”, they condemned what they perceived as undemocratic tendencies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Police operatives, however, deployed teargas canisters to disperse the crowd. Protesters were seen fleeing the area, with tensions running high.
In Port Harcourt, police fired teargas to disperse the protesters who converged at the Isaac Adaka Boro park.
