As dawn broke across Nigeria on April 7, 2025, cities stirred not with calm, but with rising voices. From Lagos to Oyo, from Port Harcourt to Abuja, thousands stepped into the streets. Their cause: justice, accountability, and a rejection of repression. What began as a protest against the Cybercrime Act evolved into a broader movement. Citizens demanded the reversal of emergency rule in Rivers State, transparency in governance, and preservation of civil liberties. The Take-It-Back Movement, long known for grassroots mobilization, became the face of this national defiance.
Ahead of the protest, the Nigeria Police Force issued a warning. It described the timing as “ill-conceived and mischievous,” noting its overlap with National Police Day. But this did not deter demonstrators. Their message was clear: passive endurance is no longer acceptable. The call to act had become urgent.
In Lagos, protestors gathered beneath the Ikeja Bridge. Their chants, bold and rhythmic, filled the air. They marched peacefully, with law enforcement nearby but restrained. Oyo State mirrored this discipline. Crowds moved together, voicing their frustrations with unity and resolve.
However, scenes in Port Harcourt painted a different picture. At Isaac Boro Park, police deployed tear gas to scatter protestors. Panic ensued. Eyewitnesses reported confusion, fear, and injuries. In Abuja, confrontations intensified. Protesters were met with physical resistance, sparking condemnation.
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Amnesty International Nigeria called for immediate restraint. In a public statement, the organization emphasized the right to peaceful assembly. It cautioned security forces against the use of excessive force, reiterating the importance of democratic freedoms.
Social media lit up with firsthand accounts. A protester in Lagos tweeted: “Proud to see Nigerians stand up. Peaceful protest is our right. #TakeItBack #April7Protest.”
From Port Harcourt: “Tear gas can’t silence justice. We came to be heard, not harmed. #April7Protest.”
And in Abuja: “They tried to suppress us, but we won’t back down. Our voices matter. #TakeItBack.”
The April 7 protest is more than a moment. It has become a marker of rising civic consciousness. It reflects the growing unwillingness of Nigerians to accept silence as stability. As the chants fade, one truth remains: this movement is not over. It is only just beginning.
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