The Nigeria Police Force has raised concerns about a planned protest by a group called “Take It Back Movement”, scheduled to hold on Monday, 7th April, 2025, across various states of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, noted that the planned protest was ill-timed as it coincides with the celebration of the National Police Day, a day earmarked by the federal government to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said that while the Force is not against the exercise of citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, it is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated.
Adejobi said that the Force perceives the protest as a “deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole”, considering that such glamorous event as the National Police Day would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous”, Adejobi stated, and urged all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands.
