The Lagos State Police Command has issued an alert to its officers and unit commanders in preparation for a planned nationwide protest set for April 7, 2025. This protest, being coordinated by the Take-It-Back (TIB) movement along with other civil society groups, aims to address several ongoing political and social issues in the country.
The protest organizers say they are demanding the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, which they believe is being used to stifle freedom of expression. They are also calling for an end to what they describe as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State. This includes calls for the reinstatement of suspended political institutions like the State House of Assembly and the Executive branch in Rivers.
In a statement released Friday, National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest is a direct response to what the group describes as a growing atmosphere of dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. “The core demands of the protest include the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the end of emergency rule in Rivers State,” he said.
Following this announcement, the Lagos Police Command responded with an internal circular, dated April 5, warning of the potential security risks connected to the protest. The circular, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Tijani O. Fatai, notes that intelligence reports indicate certain groups, who appear as civil society organisations, may attempt to incite unrest during the protest.
The police believe these groups are using social media to spread their message and gain public sympathy. According to the circular, there are fears that some criminal elements might try to hijack the protest to cause violence, especially targeting government buildings, public infrastructure, and political figures.
In light of these concerns, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a citywide increase in security presence. Officers will be deployed to key locations across Lagos, including Gani Fawehinmi Park, National Stadium, Ikorodu Roundabout, Ikeja Underbridge, and the Lekki Toll Gate. These locations have been identified as possible gathering points for protesters.
The directive also mentions that security personnel will monitor and guard essential facilities such as police stations, courts, media houses, transportation hubs, hospitals, markets, and fuel stations. Strategic places like the Lagos State Government Secretariat, the National Theatre, train terminals, and LAMATA bus stations will also be under tight surveillance.
According to the operation plan, officers will be drawn from various departments, including the Rapid Response Squad, the Counter-Terrorism Unit, and the Anti-Bomb Squad. Other units such as the State Criminal Investigation Department and multiple Police Mobile Force units will also participate in the operation.
The police command notes that the purpose of the operation is to ensure that the protest, if it goes ahead, remains peaceful. It also aims to stop any disruptions to daily activities, protect public and private properties, and maintain the normal flow of traffic throughout the city.
