The police in Rivers State on Monday dispersed ‘Take It Back’ protesters with teargas in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The protesters, affiliated with the ‘Take It Back Movement’, had gathered at Isaac Boro Park despite police warnings to cancel the rally.
An eyewitness reported that a confrontation ensued as police confronted protesters who were demanding the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the reinstatement of the government in the state.
According to the source, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Boro Park police station had instructed the protesters to relocate to the Federal Secretariat along Aba Road, designating it as a safer venue.
The protesters complied, but as they approached the CFC roundabout, the police officers providing security suddenly blocked their path and began firing tear gas canisters at them.
As the protesters continued their movement, the police intensified the use of teargas, forcing them to flee and disperse.
Several protesters, including journalists, were injured in the confusion that followed.
The protesters were demanding the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, which they claim infringes on citizens’ rights and freedoms, and the reinstatement of Governor Fubara, whom they argue was unconstitutionally removed.
The police response was marked by a heavy deployment of security personnel, with approximately 15 patrol vehicles and military personnel involved in quelling the protest.
An eyewitness stated: “The protesters were there, and the DPO came and addressed them, telling them to leave Isaac Boro Park, where the protest was initially scheduled to hold, and move to the Federal Secretariat along Aba Road, which had been designated for them to carry out their protest.
“So, while they were heading to the Federal Secretariat, around the CFC roundabout near the Catholic Church, the same police officers who were providing security suddenly blocked their path.
“We saw several security vehicles blocking us and instructing their colleagues to turn back, saying we could not continue the protest.
“At that point, the protesters insisted that the protest would go on, as they had been given the Aba Road venue to gather and carry out their protest. However, the police were adamant that it was no longer safe for them to continue the protest and ordered them to disperse.
“Suddenly, the police began firing teargas canisters at the protesters. The intensity of the teargas increased, and the protesters could not bear it because it was choking, forcing them to flee and disperse.”
He added that military personnel were part of the team, saying that about 15 security patrol vehicles were moving around, chasing people suspected to be protesters along Aba Road.
He further stated: “The DPO of the GRA axis told the protesters to leave that particular place and informed them that a venue at the Federal Secretariat had been made available for them to gather.”
Some of the organisers who spoke to newsmen vowed to continue their campaign for good governance and political accountability despite the police pushback.
The coordinator of the ‘Take It Back Movement’ in Rivers State, Amanye King, said: “We are here as an organisation affiliated with other organisations to march and express our grievances. We are not here to cause any harm, yet the security agencies are dispersing our people.
“We want the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, and as Rivers people, we are here to speak against the unconstitutional removal of our elected governor and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“We are here to demand a government for the people of Rivers State because, as it stands now, we do not have a government. This government is alien to our people, unconstitutional, and we are here to demand that our governor is reinstated.
“We have a social contract with the governor, not with the Sole Administrator. This is democracy, and we are here to march against these issues.”
Solomon Lenu, of the Coalition of the Rivers State Civil Society, said, “It is important for Rivers people to understand that what is happening in Nigeria is a rape of democracy because there is no reason whatsoever why an elected government would be suspended without just cause. We are in a democracy, not a dictatorship.”
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