The Lagos State Police Command has issued a directive to all commanders and officers within its jurisdiction, alerting them to a planned nationwide protest.
Reports indicates that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Take-It-Back movement, and other groups had announced a nationwide protest scheduled for April 7, 2025.
In a statement on Friday, the National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest seeks to address issues surrounding the misuse of the Cybercrime Act and the ongoing “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
Sanyaolu explained that the core demands of the protest include the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the end of emergency rule in Rivers State, which they describe as a form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The protesters also called for reinstating suspended government institutions in Rivers State, including the State House of Assembly and the Executive.
However, the Lagos Police Command said intelligence reports revealed that “some groups operating under the guise of civil society organisations” are preparing to mobilise protests across Nigeria.
According to a circular signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tijani O. Fatai, on Saturday, the protest is expected to draw attention to what the organisers describe as the prevailing high cost of living and government suppression of free speech.
The circular reads, “Intelligence report at the Command disposal reveals a plan by some subversive groups parading themselves as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and other misguided anti-government forces, to incite nationwide protest on 7th April 2025 aimed at drawing the attention of the Government to their perceived prevailing high cost of living and free speech suppression.
“Furthermore, the groups have flooded the social media platforms with narrations geared towards winning public sympathy, discrediting the government and galvanising support for the protest. Experience has shown that criminals may want to seize the opportunity of the protest to cause mayhem, particularly to launch attacks on government facilities and opposition leaders to disrupt socio-economic activities in the state, amongst others.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has ordered security measures to be beefed up around critical installations and other strategic locations across the State in order to forestall any untoward development before, during and after the proposed protest.
“2. MISSION: This operation order is aimed at achieving the following:
“To ensure that the protest is carried out without any security hitch;
“To prevent criminals/hoodlums/miscreants from hijacking the protest and/or perpetrating any evil act before, during and after protest; to ensure notable points of convergence for such protest in the State, particularly, Gani Fawehinmi Park; National Stadium; Labour House, Yaba; Ikorodu Roundabout; Ikeja Underbridge; Obalende Underbridge; Ikotun Roundabout; Allen Roundabout; Iyana-Iba; Chevron Roundabout: Ajah; Oshodi; Iyana-Ipaja; Abule Egba; Trade-Fair; Cele Express/Oke-Afa/Ejigbo; Apple Junction, Ajao Estate, I jora-Olopa Underbridge; Ojuelegba; Falomo; Marina/Broad Street; Otedola Underbridge; Iponri/Breweries; Igando; LASU/Ojo; Mushin, Idi-Oro; Ketu/Mile 12 Underbridge.
“Berger Bridge; Pen-Cinema; Lekki Toll-Gate; Lekki/Ikoyi Link Bridge By Admiralty Way are well dominated by Policemen to forestall breakdown of law and order; to ensure adequate security around all critical infrastructures/installations, particularly, Eqbin Terminal, Ijede; INEC Offices; Print and Electronic Media Houses; Police facilities; State House Alausa/Marina; Secretariat Alausa; Filling Stations; National Theatre, Iganmu; Rice Mill, Imota; Food Hubs/Warehouses; Major Markets/Parks/Hospitals/Malls; Train Stations; LASWA Ferry Terminal at Bariga/Langbasa/Ikorodu; Cowrie, Victoria Island; LAMATA Bus Terminals at Abule-Egba/Iyana-Oworo/Ikotun/Igando/Ojodu/Oshodi/ Berger; Sangotedo; Fela Shrine; Federal/State High Court/Court of Appeal and other government facilities across the State; etc.
“To ensure all law-abiding citizens go about their normal business throughout the period unhindered; to ensure free flow of traffic in the State throughout the period of the protest; to ensure security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the protest.
“FORCES AVAILABLE: Manpower for this operation will be drawn from Department of Operations, Ikeja, State Criminal and Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Yaba; Area Command Headquarters, Rapid Response Squad, Alausa; Task Force, Oshodi; PMF 2 Keffi; 20/22 PMF Ikeja: 23 Keffi; 43 Lion Building; 49 PMF Epe: 63 PMF Ikorodu, Counter Terrorism Unit Base 2, Special Protection Unit Bases 2, 16, 17 Lagos, and Anti Bomb Disposal Base 23, Lagos.”
The PUNCH
