By Deborah Nnamdi
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday dispersed protesters with tear gas in the Maitama area of Abuja and the Aba road area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The protesters, who had gathered peacefully to express their grievances, were thrown into disarray as the tear gas canisters sent many scampering for safety.
The protest, which is part of a nationwide demonstration spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement and other civil society organizations, began earlier in the day to draw attention to several national issues.
Key among the concerns raised by the organizers are the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act, the worsening economic hardship in the country, and what they described as a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
The demonstrators carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe” as they marched through the streets of the Federal Capital Territory.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was also present at the protest ground to show solidarity with the movement.
Meanwhile, organizers and supporters of the Take It Back Movement, Civil Society Organisations, and Niger Delta Congress had gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, only to be met with resistance from operatives of the Rivers State Police Command who ordered them to leave the venue.
Still undeterred, the protesters began singing solidarity songs and started marching inside the park and proceeding outside towards the popular Aba Express Road.
When the protesters reached the CFC junction at Aba road, the armed anti-riot policemen intercepted them again and ordered them to vacate the street, an order which they defied again.
Immediately, the policemen fired tear gas canisters, which sent the various groups protesting scattering for safety.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no reports of injuries or arrests, but the atmosphere remains tense.
