On Monday morning, Rivers State Police Command officers chased and used tear gas on the demonstrators who had congregated at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt.
According to information obtained, the demonstrators, who are part of the “Take It Back Movement,” were met by a significant police presence when they assembled at the protest site as early as nine in the morning due to the state’s declared state of emergency.
Some demonstrators, including journalists covering the event, were allegedly beaten by the police officers, according to Channels Television.
“Nobody can tell us where not to gather, we are Rivers people,” the teenage protesters said to the police officers who had urged them not to hold the demonstration.
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Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer, has criticized the protest organizers’ motivations for the April 7 demonstration.
The Police spokesperson told Channels TV on Sunday that the protest was not justified.
He maintained that the day was organized by the federal government to honor Nigerian police officers.
Additionally, he criticized the protest organizers’ choice of location, pointing out that it was a location where police would be conducting their operations on April 1.
“We are trying to warn them not to come out and protest,” he said. What justification is there for such an unjustified protest? We have announced that April 7th is National Police Day, as declared by the federal government. All of a sudden, a group of people—I believe they are from the Take It Back Movement—said they wanted to stage a nationwide demonstration.
The Nigerian government wishes to honor its own police on the same day. Honoring police institutions worldwide is a global phenomenon. Every country has set aside a specific day to honor its police. Additionally, the Nigerian government has been gracious enough to recognize the men and officers of the Nigerian police force for their tenacity, devotion, and hard work. Additionally, I put April 7th on my calendar to honor the police.
