Men of the Lagos State Police Command on Monday intercepted protesters from getting into the Lagos State Assembly complex, where they planned to tender a letter containing their demands and requests.
The Take-It-Back Movement (TIBM) and other civil society organisations led the continuing protest to draw government attention to trendy national matters such as the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, and the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State.
New Daily Prime earlier reported that in defiance of police warnings and increased security presence, members of the TIBM took to the streets of Lagos on Monday to stage the protest.
The national coordinator of the Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, claimed security operatives tendered on their rights to protest and access the House of Assembly.
He said, “The policemen are preventing us from accessing the house of assembly. It is the people’s assembly, so why are they blocking it? They are impeding our constitutional rights to movement, peaceful assembly, and protest.”
While speaking to the press, he called for the release of protesters allegedly arrested in some parts of the country where the protest was held, including Abuja and Rivers.
He said, “Currently, protesters have been arrested in Abuja after they were violently dispersed. We are calling for the immediate release of the protesters arrested in Abuja, Yobe, Gombe and Rivers States. This is a warning action and we going back to remobilise by the time we get back in August, we will shake the entire country and the entire world.
“We want the federal government to stop the Cyber Crime Act, the emergency rule in Rivers State, the demolition of houses in Oworonshoki and other parts of Lagos State and stop the trial of those who are being charged for treason after the #Endbadgovernance protest.”
Recall that the protesters gathered beneath the popular Ikeja Under-Bridge before marching to the Lagos State Government House and the State House of Assembly in Alausa, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards that decried systemic failure and political suppression.
The demonstration remained peaceful, despite heavy security around government buildings and concerns about potential unrest. Organizers stressed the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and expression, saying the protest was a necessary civic action.
This show of defiance came just a day after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, called for the cancellation of all planned protests nationwide. The police had warned that any such gathering would be considered disruptive, especially as April 7 has now been declared National Police Day by the federal government.
