Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command on Monday prevented demonstrators from entering the Lagos State Assembly complex, where they planned to present a memorandum outlining their demands.
The Take-It-Back Movement, along with other civil society organisations, led the ongoing protest to raise attention to important national concerns, such as suspected abuse of the Cybercrime Act and what they termed a “state of emergency” in Rivers State.
The demonstrators had previously assembled near the Ikeja Under Bridge, where they raised placards with various slogans to convey their concerns.
They did, however, march to the state assembly complex, where they were stopped by armed police officers who had set up a barricade a few metres from the door.
The demonstrators, irritated by their presence, insisted on delivering their letter.
This lasted nearly two hours because no one turned up to address them.
Juwon Sanyaolu, national coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, accused security forces of breaching protesters’ rights.
He said, “The policemen are preventing us from accessing the House of Assembly. It is the people’s assembly, so why are they blocking it? They are impeding our constitutional rights to movement, peaceful assembly, and protest.”
Sanyaolu also urged the release of demonstrators who were purportedly detained in sections of the country where the rally was staged.
Sanyaolu described the march as a warning action, stating that if the government fails to accept their requests, they will hold another protest in August.
He said, “Currently, protesters have been arrested in Abuja after they were violently dispersed. We are calling for the immediate release of the protesters arrested in Abuja, Yobe, Gombe and Rivers States. This is a warning action, and we are going back to remobilise. By the time we get back in August, we will shake the entire country and the entire world.
“We want the federal government to stop the Cyber Crime Act, the emergency rule in Rivers State, the demolition of houses in Oworonshoki and other parts of Lagos State and stop the trial of those who are being charged for treason after the #Endbadgovernance protest.”
