Protesters gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt were chased and subjected to tear gas by Rivers State Police Command officers on Monday morning.
The demonstrators, who are part of the “Take It Back Movement,” were met with a significant police presence when they arrived at the protest site as early as 9 am due to the state’s declared state of emergency, according to information obtained.
Channels Television reports that some demonstrators, including reporters covering the event, were beaten by the police officers.
“We are Rivers people, so nobody can tell us where not to gather,” the teenage protesters told the police officers who had warned them not to hold the demonstration.
The goal of the protest organizers on April 7 has been criticized by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer.
In an interview with Channels TV on Sunday, the Police spokesperson said the demonstration was not justified.
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He maintained that the purpose of the day was to honor Nigeria Police officers, as determined by the federal government.
The protest organizer’s choice of location was also criticized by him, as it was a location that police would be using for their April 1 operations.
We are attempting to warn them not to come out and demonstrate,” he said. Why would someone stage an unjustified protest of that nature? In addition to our statement, the federal government declared April 7th to be National Police Day. A group of people, who I believe are part of the Take It Back Movement, suddenly declared their desire to hold a nationwide protest.
The government of Nigeria wishes to honor its own police on the same day. International recognition of police institutions is a global phenomenon. Each country has a day set aside to honor its own police. The Nigerian government has also been gracious enough to recognize the men and officers of the Nigerian police force for their strength, dedication, and commitment. Additionally, I set April 7th as the date for the police celebration.
