Young demonstrators under the banner of the Take-It-Back Movement on Monday, April 7, defied police warnings and staged protests in Lagos and Oyo states.
Wearing their signature orange berets, protesters in Lagos began their rally at the Ikeja Under Bridge, marching through major roads while chanting solidarity songs under the watchful eyes of police officers.
The Nigeria Police Force had urged the group to cancel its planned nationwide demonstration, describing the timing as “ill-conceived and mischievous.”
In response, activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore dismissed the police’s concerns, denying claims that the protest was aimed at disrupting the National Police Day celebration.
Although the protests did not centre on specific demands, the Take-It-Back Movement has consistently mobilized around key national issues, including the state of the Nigerian economy and the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In Oyo State, members of the movement held a peaceful demonstration in Ibadan, the state capital, with security operatives present to maintain order.