conversation with Delta State Coordinator made clear their intentions to go ahead with the protest, which they say is aimed at expressing public dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s ongoing governance issues.
The Take-It-Back (TIB) movement has hit back at the Delta State Police Command after a tense exchange between the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and the group’s state coordinator in a confrontation over the upcoming nationwide protest planned for April 7.
In WhatsApp conversations shared with SaharaReporters, TIB’s Delta State Coordinator made clear their intentions to go ahead with the protest, which they say is aimed at expressing public dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s ongoing governance issues.
However, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Delta, seemingly asserting control over protest regulations, warned that the demonstration could only take place if officially approved by the Commissioner of Police (CP).
In the exchange, the TIB Delta Coordinator wrote, “Okay Sir, we are organising for the April 7 protest and I just want to inform you as a chief security officer that I have seen you to be very intelligent and cooperative with citizens’ rights.”
The cordial tone quickly shifted, as the DCP responded sternly: “Don’t try anything unless you write to the CP. Don’t try it until you get official approval.”
The TIB Coordinator did not back down, stating, “With all due respect, sir, you can’t tell citizens not to try protesting unless the CP approves it. Lawful gathering is our democratic right, and writing to any security officer is just for them to provide security to maintain law and order. It’s not to ask for permission or approval before we demonstrate and register our displeasure at the continuous bad governance in this otherwise great nation.”
In a firm rebuttal, the Coordinator continued, “During the course of the last protest, I studied you and felt you were an intelligent officer, but this your reply has got me rethinking. We must not allow democracy to degrade into dictatorship, because we will all become victims of it one way or another.”
The conversation escalated when the Deputy Commissioner responded by asserting his authority: “Meet the new area commander. I am now promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police. I am advising you to follow the law.”
The Coordinator acknowledged the DCP’s promotion but maintained his stance on the matter, replying, “Congratulations, Sir. Your promotion is well deserved, but you know what I’m saying is the truth. The law has been bastardised and is now being interpreted to suit the agendas of politicians.”
The exchange highlights growing tensions between the TIB movement and the police, as the group vows to proceed with the planned protest, citing their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command, on its part, had issued a directive to all commanders and officers within its jurisdiction, alerting them to a planned nationwide protest scheduled for April 7, 2025.
The police claimed this follows intelligence reports that “some groups operating under the guise of civil society organisations (CSOs)” are preparing to mobilise protests across Nigeria.
According to a circular signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tijani O. Fatai, the protest is expected to draw attention to what the organisers describe as the prevailing high cost of living and government suppression of free speech.
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.”