A protest staged by the ‘Take It Back Movement’ at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was met with a strong police response on Monday morning.
Officers from the Rivers State Police Command arrived at the scene in large numbers and used teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
The protest began around 9 a.m., with participants asserting their right to peaceful assembly despite warnings from security personnel.
“We are Rivers people. No one can dictate where we can or cannot gather,” some protesters reportedly said while defying police orders.
The confrontation between law enforcement and the demonstrators created a tense atmosphere in the area, although there were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.
The reasons behind the protest have been linked to the Cybercrime Act bill proposed by the federal government.
However, the forceful dispersal highlights ongoing friction between civil groups and authorities over the right to peaceful protest in the country.