Young protesters under the banner of the Take-It-Back Movement took to the streets on Monday, defying a police directive to cancel their planned nationwide demonstrations. Rallies were held across several states including Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, and Rivers.
In Lagos, the demonstrators—wearing their distinctive orange berets—gathered at the Ikeja Under Bridge and marched through major roads in the city, chanting solidarity songs. Police officers were visibly present, monitoring the protest.
The Nigeria Police Force had earlier described the protest as “ill-conceived and mischievous,” urging organisers to call it off, particularly since it coincided with the newly declared National Police Day.
But activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, a prominent figure in the movement, dismissed the police’s concerns. He denied claims that the timing was intended to undermine the Police Day celebration.
While the protests were not tied to a single set of demands, the Take-It-Back Movement has consistently used such rallies to spotlight issues ranging from economic hardship to President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
In Oyo State, members of the movement staged a peaceful demonstration in Ibadan, the state capital, where security personnel were deployed to maintain order and ensure the rally remained peaceful.
