…Seek Police protection for demonstrators
By Sodiq Adelakun
As Nigeria approaches Democracy Day on 12 June 2025, the Take It Back (TIB) Movement has formally notified the Lagos State Police Command of its plans to hold a peaceful protest.
The group has demanded that law enforcement officers ensure the safety and protection of demonstrators rather than resort to intimidation or suppression.
In an open letter addressed to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, and signed by Adekunle Taofeek, the Lagos Coordinator of TIB, the movement outlined its intention to exercise constitutional rights guaranteed by Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“On June 12, 2025, the people of Nigeria, young and old, working class and unemployed, angry and awake, will take to the streets in peaceful protest against the unbearable insecurity and economic hardship that have strangled this nation,” the letter partly read.
The group emphasised the historical significance of 12 June, now recognised as Democracy Day, asserting that it must serve as more than a ceremonial event.
“June 12 is not a day of silence. It is a day of resistance. Nigerians never begged for freedom; we fought for it. And we will continue to fight, peacefully but fearlessly, until this country works for all of us,” the movement declared.
The organisers warned against any attempts by the police to clamp down on or criminalise peaceful protest, urging officers to remain neutral and professional.
“Protesting is not a request; it is a constitutional right. No law gives the police the power to crush or criminalize peaceful dissent,” the letter stated.
Accordingly, the group demanded that the Lagos State Police Command “desist from any attempts to suppress, brutalize, or arrest peaceful protesters” and called on law enforcement to “deploy officers to protect protesters, not to harass or assault them,” expecting “professional and restrained” conduct during the demonstration.
This year’s Democracy Day marks the 26th anniversary of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule following years of military governance.
The Take It Back Movement’s proactive communication with the police highlights ongoing concerns over civic space and the right to peaceful assembly in the country.
The movement announced a list of venues across the country where citizens will gather to demonstrate. The protest aims to highlight worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, and the shrinking civic space under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking with newsmen, the National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest would hold in at least 20 locations nationwide.
“In Abuja, we will converge at Eagle Square by 8.00 am. In Lagos, we have four locations: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all starting by 7 am.”
Other venues include Cathedral Junction in Akure, Ondo State, at 8 am; Museum Ground in Benin City, Edo State, at 9 am; and Gida Matasa in Niger State at 8 am. In Yobe State, protesters will meet at the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu by 7:30 am, while in Oyo State, it is Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan by 8 am. Bauchi State’s protest will be held opposite the Bauchi School of ACR, Yelewam Makaranta, by 8 am; and in Osun State, at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo.
Sanyaolu also listed five locations for Delta State: Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele; Summit Junction and Koka Junction in Asaba; Otovwodo Junction in Ughelli; Effurun Roundabout, PTI Junction, and DSC Roundabout in Warri; and Police Station Junction in Abraka.
Further sites include Juppu Jam Road in Yola, Adamawa State, at 8 am, and Kasuwan Gamboru Flyover in Borno State at 8 am.
The protest, scheduled to coincide with Nigeria’s Democracy Day, is meant to demand accountability and reaffirm Nigerians’ constitutional rights. Sanyaolu explained, “Our demands have not changed. We are using June 12 as a day to exercise our democratic rights as Nigerians to demand accountability and democratic governance.”
He added, “The Constitution clearly states that the primary responsibility of the government is the security and welfare of the people. All these have completely failed under the government of Tinubu.”
Citing a report by Amnesty International, Sanyaolu said, “Over 10,000 Nigerians had lost their lives to insecurity since Tinubu assumed office. Over 133 million Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. Thousands have been displaced from their homes due to forced evictions and insecurity.”
“For instance, in Benue State alone, over 40,000 people are displaced, while in Plateau, the figure is about 68,000. This is the state of welfare and security in the country,” he stated.
The activist also accused the government of suppressing dissent and cracking down on opposition voices, saying, “Under this administration, the civic space is under attack. Freedom of speech is under threat as government critics and opposition voices are being hounded.”
“These are the issues we want to bring to public attention by expressing our democratic rights,” he added.
Sanyaolu warned security agencies against repression during the demonstrations, reminding them that the right to protest is guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and upheld by the Supreme Court.
“To the security agencies, we want to state categorically that they must protect protesters, not repress them.
“It is a constitutional mandate and a lawful one. Nigerians have the right to protest, and during such actions, the police must ensure protesters are safe and that their voices are heard,” he emphasised.
