On April 7, 2025, the Take It Back Movement staged protests in Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Oyo, despite police warnings. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators in Rivers State. The protesters, calling for good governance, demanded the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
On Monday morning, members of the Take It Back Movement gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt for a protest, despite warnings from the Rivers State Police. The demonstration, which started peacefully, quickly escalated when officers dispersed the protesters with tear gas. The demonstrators, who were primarily young people, expressed their determination to voice their grievances, despite the heavy police presence.
“We are Rivers people, and no one can tell us where not to gather,” one protester stated as they stood firm in the face of police opposition. The protesters had notified the police of their intention to demonstrate, presenting a letter dated April 3, 2025. However, their efforts were met with a swift police response.
Tensions mounted as police officers chased and detained some protesters, with reports of journalists also being harassed and beaten. The protests, which also occurred in Lagos and Oyo, were part of a larger nationwide call for better governance and reforms.
One protester emphasized that the demonstration was peaceful, with key demands including the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as having been removed unconstitutionally. "This government is alien to us," said the protester. "We have a social contract with our governor, not the sole administrator."
Police had previously urged organizers to cancel the protests, calling them ill-timed due to their coincidence with the National Police Day celebrations. Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi criticized the planned demonstrations, describing them as an attempt to undermine the police force and the nation. Despite these warnings, the protests continued, with the Take It Back Movement making their voices heard across various states.
