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The planned demonstrations have attracted widespread attention from civil society organisations and rights activists, who accuse the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using the Cybercrime Act to suppress press freedom and silence dissenting voices including journalists, social media users, and government critics.

The Police Command in Lagos state has placed all its commanders and officers on security alert ahead of a planned nationwide protest slated for April 7, 2025.

In a circular signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tijani O. Fatai, the Command warned of coordinated efforts to stage protests focused on rising living costs and alleged government clampdowns on free speech.

This directive follows intelligence reports indicating that certain groups, reportedly operating under the banner of civil society organisations, CSOs, are mobilising citizens for demonstrations across the country.

The circular reads: “Intelligence report at the Command disposal reveals a plan by some subversive groups parading themselves as Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and other misguided anti-government forces, to incite nationwide protest on 7th April 2025 aimed at drawing the attention of the Government to their perceived prevailing high cost of living and free speech suppression.

“Furthermore, the groups have flooded the social media platforms with narrations geared towards winning public sympathy, discrediting the government and galvanising support for the protest. Experience has shown 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, amongst others.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has ordered security measures to be beefed up around critical installations and other strategic locations across the State in order to forestall any untoward development before, during and after the proposed protest.

“ MISSION: This operation order is aimed at achieving the following; To ensure that the protest is carry out without any security hitch;

“To prevent criminals/hoodlums/miscreants from hijacking the protest and/or perpetrating any evil act before, during and after protest; to ensure notable points of convergence for such protest in the State, particularly, Gani Fawehinmi Park; National Stadium; Labour House, Yaba; Ikorodu Roundabout; Ikeja Underbridge; Obalende Underbridge; Ikotun Roundabout; Allen Roundabout; Iyana-Iba; Chevron Roundabout: Ajah; Oshodi; Iyana-Ipaja; Abule Egba; Trade-Fair; Cele Express/Oke-Afa/Ejigbo; Apple Junction, Ajao Estate, I jora-Olopa Underbridge; Ojuelegba; Falomo; Marina/Broad Street; Otedola Underbridge; Iponri/Breweries; Igando; LASU/Ojo; Mushin, Idi-Oro; Ketu/Mile 12 Underbridge.

“Berger Bridge; Pen-Cinema; Lekki Toll-Gate; Lekki/Ikoyi Link Bridge By Admiralty Way are well dominated by Policemen to forestall breakdown of law and order; to ensure adequate security around all critical infrastructures/installations, particularly, Eqbin Terminal, Ijede; INEC Offices; Print and Electronic Media Houses; Police facilities; State House Alausa/Marina; Secretariat Alausa; Filling Stations; National Theatre, Iganmu; Rice Mill, Imota; Food Hubs/Warehouses; Major Markets/Parks/Hospitals/Malls; Train Stations; LASWA Ferry Terminal at Bariga/Langbasa/Ikorodu; Cowrie, Victoria Island; LAMATA Bus Terminals at Abule-Egba/Iyana-Oworo/Ikotun/Igando/Ojodu/Oshodi/ Berger; Sangotedo; Fela Shrine; Federal/State High Court/Court of Appeal and other government facilities across the State; etc

“To ensure all Law abiding citizens go about their normal business throughout the period unhindered; to ensure free flow of traffic in the State throughout the period of the protest; to ensure security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the protest.

“FORCES AVAILABLE: Manpower for this operation will be drawn from Department of Operations, Ikeja, State Criminal and Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Yaba; Area Command Headquarters, Rapid Response Squad, Alausa; Task Force, Oshodi; PMF 2 Keffi; 20/22 PMF Ikeja: 23 Keffi; 43 Lion Building; 49 PMF Epe: 63 PMF Ikorodu, Counter Terrorism Unit Base 2, Special Protection Unit Bases 2, 16, 17 Lagos, and Anti Bomb Disposal Base 23, Lagos.”

Recall that the Take-It-Back (TIB) movement and several allied groups had announced a nationwide protest aimed at challenging the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and what they describe as the unconstitutional “state of emergency” currently unfolding in Rivers State.

In a press briefing, TIB National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, outlined the key demands of the protest, chief among them being the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and an end to what he called “military-style governance” in Rivers State. He condemned the alleged clampdown on democratic institutions and demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended State House of Assembly and the state’s executive structures.

Sanyaolu emphasised that the protests would not be restricted to the Federal Capital Territory but would spread across various parts of the country, with organisers planning multiple simultaneous demonstrations.