The Lagos State Police Command has issued a high alert to all its personnel regarding a planned nationwide protest scheduled for Monday, April 7, 2025. This directive follows the announcement by the Civil Society Organisation, the Take-It-Back movement, and other groups of their intention to stage demonstrations across Nigeria.
According to a statement by Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of TIB, the planned protest aims to address concerns surrounding the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and the current “state of emergency” in Rivers State. The core demands of the protesters include the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the termination of what they describe as a form of military dictatorship in Rivers State under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They are also calling for the reinstatement of suspended government institutions in Rivers State, such as the State House of Assembly and the Executive.
In response to these plans, the Lagos Police Command stated that intelligence reports indicate that “some groups operating under the guise of civil society organisations” are preparing to mobilize protests nationwide. A circular issued on Saturday, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Tijani O. Fatai, noted that the protest is expected to highlight the prevailing high cost of living and alleged government suppression of free speech.
The circular warned 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.” Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a усиление of security measures around critical installations and strategic locations throughout Lagos State to prevent any disturbances before, during, and after the proposed protest.
The police operation order outlines several key objectives, including ensuring the protest proceeds without security incidents, preventing criminal elements from hijacking the demonstrations, securing key convergence points for the protest across the state, ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure, allowing law-abiding citizens to conduct their normal activities without hindrance, maintaining free flow of traffic, and safeguarding lives and property.
The manpower for this operation will be drawn from various units within the Lagos State Police Command, including the Department of Operations, the State Criminal and Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Area Command Headquarters, the Rapid Response Squad, Task Force, and multiple Police Mobile Force (PMF) units, as well as the Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Units, and the Anti Bomb Disposal Unit.
