The Nigeria Police Force on Monday, April 7, 2025 deepened its alleged well acclaimed reputation for human rights violation especially when it concerns peaceful protests by firing tear gas canisters at protesters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The protesters were demanding a reversal of the unconstitutional emergency rule imposed on the Rivers State by Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, as well as the sack of the Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ette Ibas, a retired Vice Admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff.

Police personnel descended with a heavy hand to disperse the protesters who had gathered at Isaac Boro Park and Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.  

The demonstrators, under the Take-It-Back Movement, gathered to also demand the repeal of the Cybercrime Act, protest the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and reject the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by Tinubu.

The protest, which is part of a nationwide demonstration organised by civil society groups, also highlighted growing economic hardship. Similar scenes played out in Abuja, where protesters were also forcefully dispersed by security agents.

Close watchers of the situation say they are not surprised at the actions of the Police given that the incumbent Commissioner of Police in the State, Olugbenga Adepoju is allegedly not known to be a good crisis manager.

They referred to Monday, October 30, 2023 when as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, he coordinated an operation that saw policemen allegedly firing hot water and live bullets on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was on his way to inspect the House of Assembly complex.

They observed that as if to reward him for an operation that clearly put the life of the State Chief Executive in danger, he was promoted and appointed Commissioner of Police in the same State.

A concerned resident of the State, who preferred anonymity, pointed out that the State Administrator, Ibok-Ette Ibas would also not cherish any attempt to unseat him given the humongous benefits accruing from holding the office, even though it’s an unconstitutional and illegal one.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has denied firing tear gas canisters at the protesters, claiming it was miscreants who were stealing phones from bystanders that were dispersed.

This claim runs contrary to field reports from journalists including a Kristina Reports team at both the Isaac Boro Park and Aba Road opposite the Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, who were also victims of the tear gas deployed by the Police.