A planned protest against the controversial Cybercrime Act and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State was met with a heavy security clampdown in the Federal Capital Territory today, April 7, 2024, leaving many commuters stranded and prompting widespread confusion in parts of the city.

As early as dawn, heavily armed riot police had blocked all access routes leading to the iconic Eagles Square and the Federal Secretariat, the proposed venue of the protest.

Kristina Reports team on site observed that police trucks and barricades were strategically placed to prevent demonstrators and even workers from gaining entry into the area.

The security lockdown caused a ripple effect across the capital city. Workers, civil servants, and other residents heading to their offices near the Secretariat were either turned back or forced to abandon their vehicles and walk long distances under the close watch of security operatives.

The situation led to gridlock in nearby areas, with passengers struggling to find alternative routes amid the chaos.

Despite the blockade, hundreds of aggrieved Nigerians managed to gather in the Maitama area of Abuja to begin what they described as a peaceful demonstration.

The protest, spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement in collaboration with other civil society organizations, was aimed at drawing attention to a series of national concerns, including the alleged weaponization of the Cybercrime Act, rising inflation, insecurity, and the political turmoil in Rivers State.

Carrying placards with messages like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe”, the protesters marched through parts of the city, chanting and calling for accountability from the federal government.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore joined the protesters in a show of solidarity.

However, the protest was abruptly disrupted when operatives of the Nigeria Police Force fired tear gas into the crowd, dispersing the demonstrators and throwing the area into disarray. Eyewitnesses said the protesters had remained peaceful up until the crackdown.

The police have yet to offer an official explanation for the road closures or the use of force on unarmed citizens. Attempts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.

In a statement issued last Friday, Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, said the protest was organized to resist what the group described as the “increasing authoritarianism” of the current administration.

He also demanded immediate economic and social relief for Nigerians grappling with soaring prices and deteriorating living conditions.

As of the time of filing this report, no injuries or arrests had been officially confirmed, but the atmosphere in central Abuja remains tense.

The Take-It-Back Movement has vowed to continue its resistance through lawful means, urging Nigerians not to be silenced in the face of repression.

The events of the day highlight growing public unrest and the widening rift between citizens and the government over issues of governance, civil liberties, and economic survival.