A clash between protesters and security operatives looms on Thursday (today) as the Take It Back Movement, the rally organisers, has resolved to carry out a demonstration at the National Assembly, Abuja and 19 other locations across the country during the June 12 celebrations.

On the heels of the planned nationwide rallies, the police and other security agencies have beefed up security across the country.

The protest organisers confirmed to The PUNCH their intention to take their campaign against economic hardship to the political leaders.

The group earlier planned to rally against the tough reforms implemented by the Tinubu administration at Eagle Square, but later announced a change of venue in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday.

The protest, which is expected to draw participants from various civil society groups, is aimed at dragging attention to what the organisers described as “two years of misrule, hardship, and insecurity” under Tinubu’s government.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, National Coordinator, Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the shift in protest location did not alter the objective of the demonstration.

“That we earlier said the protest would hold at the Eagle Square doesn’t foreclose the fact that Nigerians cannot organise themselves at the National Assembly to protest the two years of misrule under Tinubu,” Sanyaolu said.

“The unprecedented hardship and insecurity we have experienced under his government are alarming. So, Nigerians will be turning out nationwide to protest against this, and the National Assembly is one of those spaces where Nigerians can exercise their constitutional rights. We are encouraging Nigerians to move there in their numbers tomorrow (today).”

Sanyaolu cited rising poverty, rampant insecurity, and lack of democratic accountability as key grievances.

“All Nigerians from different walks of life have been mobilised, Nigerians are coming to the streets tomorrow (today) to demand an end to bad governance.

“Nigerians have nothing to lose. Nigerians have been beaten and battered. We are like people who are on the ground; we should have no fear of falling. It is also their constitutional right to protest.

“They have no reason to fear. The worst has happened, and the only way to stop the escalating level of our sorrow, tears and blood they are witnessing is to actually do something by protesting tomorrow. We have nothing to fear and we have nothing to lose but our chains.”

The activist said despite the attacks on some coordinators in Lagos, Gombe, Bauchi and Edo, among others, the protest would go on as scheduled.

“Presently, there has been a nationwide attack on organisers, but we are not deterred. The Bauchi state executives of TIB are being hounded by the police.

“In Gombe, Cross-River, Edo and Lagos, our coordinators are being hounded. We are convinced the only way to end the era of worse governance is defiance; that is what we are going to be doing fearlessly,” he noted.

Sanyaolu, however, cautioned security agencies, particularly police, against arresting or violating the rights of citizens to protest.

The Director of Mobilisation for the protest in the Federal Capital Territory, Michael Adenola, said the movement had gained momentum among young Nigerians who are angered by the worsening economic conditions and government neglect.

“Preparations are in order. Many Nigerian youths, who have expressed frustration over the spate of killings in the country, mass unemployment, and underfunded education, have shown commitment to participate in the protest.

“Other civil society organisations have also committed to mobilising their members. Expect thousands on the streets of Abuja.”

Adenola also cautioned the security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of protesters and refrain from using force.

“Again and again, men of our security agencies have shown themselves to be uncivilised by attacking protesters unprovoked. Our call to them is to at least pretend they are civilised.

“There is no reason to bring lethal weapons to the protest grounds. Take them to Sambisa or Plateau State to combat the real insecurity, not against protesters who are civilly demanding their rights,” he added.

When asked about the police plan to manage the protest, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, referred our correspondent to the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh.

However, Adeh did not respond to calls or messages as of the time of filing this report but he FCT Commissioner of Police, Adewale Ajao, assured law-abiding citizens of protection during the protest.

He said, “We are still on engagement and discussion, until then, we won’t know. We want to advise all law-abiding citizens that they should go about their lawful businesses without harassment from anybody. We urge Nigerians to be orderly. Everybody’s right must be respected.”

Meanwhile, Sanyaolu said the protest would take place in at least 20 locations nationwide.

“In Abuja, we will converge at Eagle Square by 8.00 am. In Lagos, we have four locations: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all starting by 7am.

“In Akure, Ondo State, we will gather at Cathedral Junction by 8am, and in Benin City, Edo State, at the Museum Ground by 9am. In Niger State, the venue is Gida Matasa at 8am.

“In Yobe, we will meet at the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu by 7:30am, while in Oyo State, it is Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan by 8am.

“In Bauchi, the protest will be held opposite the Bauchi School of ACR, Yelewam Makaranta, by 8 am. In Osun State, it will be at Olaiya Junction in Osogbo,” Sanyaolu explained.

Speaking on the participants’ safety during the protest, he noted, “In regards to how we intend to cope with any attack, it is not the job or responsibility of Nigerians, or protesters, to secure themselves, it’s our right to protest.

“We have a duty as citizens to protest; as a matter of fact, it’s a part of our civic responsibility. So, the police must ensure the protection and safety of protesters.”

A group, the #EndBadgovernanceMovement, also slated the Ikeja Underbridge for protest.

In support of the rallies, the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association wrote to the Lagos State Police Command seeking protection for the protesters.

In a letter on Wednesday signed by the Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Human Rights Committee, Chinenye Udeh, and vice chairman, Joseph Opute, the association referenced the prior notification given to the police by the organisers, and called for law enforcement agencies to fulfil their statutory duty under the Police Act.

Citing section 84(4) of the Police Act (as amended) 2024, the NBA reminded the police commissioner that, “where a person or organisation notifies your office of its intention to hold a rally, the police shall provide security cover for the rally.”

The letter further emphasised the constitutional nature of peaceful assembly.

“Rally is an expression of the constitutionally guaranteed right to movement, association and assembly and the law vests in your office the statutory duty to protect the rights and freedom of every person as provided in the Constitution and the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights.”

The NBA noted that while the rally organisers were invited for a meeting with the police on June 10, 2025, the meeting was postponed due to the commissioner’s other engagements.

A request to hold the rescheduled meeting virtually was made, but according to the letter, it has yet to receive a response from the police.

The Bar urged law enforcement officials to adhere to the rule of law, stating, “The organisers of the #Endbadgovernance Movement have in full compliance with the law duly notified your good office of its intention to hold its June 12 commemorative rally. We therefore now respectfully request your office to provide the participants with security cover as stipulated by law.”

The lawyers also pledged to monitor the rally and issue an official report on the outcome.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, the State TIB coordinator, Victor Lijofi, called on residents to come out en masse and join the demonstration, which he said would take off from Olaiya Junction, Osogbo.

“The police should therefore deploy officers to protect protesters and desist from any attempt to suppress or arrest peaceful protesters, and in the event of any attacks before, during, or after the protest, we shall hold the Nigeria Police Force accountable.”

The Bauchi State Coordinator, TIB Movement, Nuhu Nazif, revealed that the police requested a dialogue with him and his team after he notified them of the protest.

“Now is not the right time for dialogue,” Nazif said. “It is not good to be a friend of the police, especially when organising peaceful conduct.”

The Bauchi State Police Command vowed to address activities threatening public peace during the Democracy Day celebrations.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, all officers assigned for the occasion have been instructed to exercise vigilance, maintain professionalism and demonstrate courtesy in their interactions with residents.

He said a clear directive had been established to address activities threatening public peace.

The statement added that “Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu encourages citizens to reflect on the nation’s progress, honour the contributions of past leaders, and actively promote unity and peaceful coexistence.”

“The command wishes to make it unequivocally clear that any individual or group seeking to instigate disorder or disrupt the peaceful observance of Democracy Day celebrations in the state will face the full extent of the law.”

In readiness for the rallies, the security agencies in Borno, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Ogun, Yobe, Osun, Oyo, Jigawa and other states also deployed scores of personnel across their territories.

The Borno State PPRO, Nahum Daso, disclosed that about 1,500 policemen were mobilised ahead of the protest.

“Currently, we don’t have any threats in the state. Nevertheless, the police EOD team is currently on ground to sweep the area and will continue tomorrow (today) after the programme. It is going to be a hitch-free June 12 Democracy Day celebration,” he assured.

In neigbouring Yobe, the command confirmed it had put in place measures to maintain peace and order within and outside Damaturu, the state capital.

The state PPRO, Dungus Abdulkarim, said, “The police command has equally deployed adequate personnel and equipment to protect key infrastructure and ensure public safety, especially in public places such as markets and shopping centres.”

He added that the command was not officially notified about the protest.

“As we speak, no activist or groups have informed the command about any protest in the state. The Commissioner of Police has instructed that anyone who breaks the law should be handled professionally and dealt with decisively,” he said.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state confirmed the deployment of its officers to maintain peace during the Democracy Day celebrations.

The NSCDC PRO, DanJum Maina, said, “The whole idea is to ensure a hitch-free Democracy Day. For that reason, the state commandant has also set aside a vanguard troops Rapid Response Squad to beef up security before, during and after the events.”

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, assured the residents that the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations would be hitch-free.

“Ogun State remains peaceful. Residents are expected to mark Democracy Day peacefully. The command is collaborating with relevant stakeholders, and there is no cause for alarm regarding June 12,” Ogunlowo assured.

In Oyo, the NSCDC posted its personnel across the 33 local government areas of the state.

This, according to the state Commandant, Augustine Padonu, is to ensure a peaceful celebration.

On its part, the police in Ondo said its men had taken positions in strategic locations in the state.

The state PPRO, Olayinka Alayande, stated, “All around, there is an operational order which the CP has given out. Of course, protest is a fundamental right of everybody. However, the command will not take or allow anybody that wants to take us back from the security gains we have made; we won’t allow hoodlums to hijack the protest.’’

Similarly, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Dan Aidamenbor, said although the organisers did not notify the command about the planned protest, the security agencies would not allow a breakdown of law and order.

“There was no formal request by the organisers detailing their route, which would have enabled security agencies to provide adequate security.

“Be that as it may, the security agencies in the state will ensure that any breakdown of law and order will be resisted. The Nigeria Police is coordinating other sister agencies with necessary strategies to mitigate against any unlawful act,” the NSCDC spokesman stated.

The Gombe State NSCDC spokesman, Buhari Saad, hinted that 500 personnel had been deployed across the state.

On his part, the state PPRO, olice Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, noted that the command had mobilised adequate personnel and resources ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day celebration.

The Executive Director of War Against Injustice, Umar Ibrahim, stated that he was invited for questioning by the Department of State Services over the protest.

He said the coalition of civil society organisations in Kano State would not participate in the rally.

“You saw what happened during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kano,” he said, referencing previous unrest linked to similar rallies.

He explained that their decision was influenced by the prevailing security situation in the state, expressing fears that the protest could be hijacked by political actors.

“Kano has been grappling with a crisis of political thuggery and clashes. Therefore, I cannot take part in it,” he said.

As an alternative, Umar announced that the coalition would hold a series of public lectures instead of street demonstrations.

The lectures are scheduled to begin on today at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training (Mambayya House), in collaboration with Bayero University, Kano.

Similarly pro-democracy groups in Kwara State said they plan to organise training workshops for their members during the Democracy Day celebrations.

Some of the active groups in the state, including Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy and Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, said they would organise the workshops.

Chairman, CDHR in Kwara State, Comrade Lukman Afolabi, said, “We will not go on street protest but our members will be attending a training workshop at a Hall in Ita Alamu area”

The NSCDC, Kwara command said it was prepared to safeguard government properties.

The PRO, NSCDC, Ayoola Michael, said, “Though we are not envisaging protest from the pro-democracy groups in the state but we have deployed our men and officers to sensitive and strategic places to safeguard government properties in Ilorin, the state capital.”

The Jigawa State Police Command and the NSCDC have heightened security measures ahead of Democracy Day celebrations and possible protests on June 12.

The police spokesman, Shi’isu Adam, said, “We were not notified about any protest of this kind. However, we have increased routine security measures across the state to prevent any negative occurrences.”

The NSCDC spokesperson, Badruddeen Tijjani, corroborated Adam’s statement, saying the corps is also on high alert.

On Wednesday, the Sokoto State Police Command announced enhanced security measures to ensure an incident-free Democracy Day celebration in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, held a high-level strategy meeting with tactical unit commanders on Tuesday to finalise operational plans ahead of the national commemoration.

The meeting focused on coordinating intelligence, rapid response strategies, and crowd control to safeguard residents during the scheduled events.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, the command would deploy multiple layers of security.

These include visible patrols at major event venues, public buildings, and streets, strengthened surveillance and intelligence gathering in potential flashpoints, specialised traffic control units to ensure smooth vehicular movement and tactical response teams on standby for rapid deployment in case of emergencies.

It placed a ban on fireworks, explosives, and unauthorised drone use near celebration areas.

“The Sokoto command is fully prepared to protect all citizens exercising their rights to peaceful assembly,” Musa said.

In Delta, the PPRO, Bright Edafe, assured the residents of a peaceful June 12 celebration.

“The state police command is dialoguing with them (the TIB Movement) on the way forward,” the PPRO said in a terse statement on Wednesday evening.

Also, the Edo police command said its men would ensure a peaceful protest.

“We know about the protest by the movement, and we are prepared for it. Operational deployment has been done in this regard.

“We won’t divulge what we want to do, but we are to ensure the protest takes place peacefully,’’ Moses Yamu, the spokesman, said.

The TIB leader in the state, Afiz Lawal, announced the group would converge on Ring Road in the capital city of Benin and Jattu Junction in Auchi, Edo North.

He said the protest might become “charged if the police want to trample on the right of the protesters.”

In Niger State, a prominent activist in Minna, Abdullahi Jabi, noted that there would be a peaceful protest to draw attention to the persistent bad governance in the country and the need for the leaders to turn a new leaf.

“The Democracy Day protest is very important to drum home our demands on President Bola Tinubu to know that Nigerians are going through hardship and rising cost of living.

“This is the right time to tell him and other leaders who control the National Assembly and the judiciary. Let them know that they have failed Nigerians and they are pushing Nigerians to the wall. This hardship cannot continue and the people will not continue to keep silent,” Jabi said.

The Niger police command spokesman Wasiu Abiodun explained that the state Commissioner of Police Adamu Ellaman had deployed officers and men to the Gidan Matasa venue and other places around the capital.

“The Police command is aware of the proposed protest by a group known as Take It Back movement purportedly slated for June 12 at Gidan-Matasa in Minna.

“As a result of this, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Elleman, directed officers of the command to deploy all available human and operational assets to public places, including the venue indicated and identify vulnerable points with a view to ensure that there is no lawlessness and breach of public.

“However, members of the public are advised to continue with their lawful businesses, as the command assures of its readiness to ensure public safety,” Abiodun said.

The spokesman of the state NSCDC, Muhammad Muti, said, “The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps is aware of the planned protest march tomorrow and the officers and men have have mobilised to ensure a peaceful protest. It is within the constitutional right of the people to protest and we must not stop them.

“We are only going to make sure that they do not breach the peace of the society. We are also going to ensure that they are not prevented from protesting peacefully,” Muti said.

In Rivers, former Chairman, Ijaw Youths Council, Eastern Zone, Tamuno Kpokpo, called on youths in the state to reject attempts by politicians to lure them to the streets to protest during the Democracy Day celebrations.

Kpokpo said the intention of the plotters is to link the protest to the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and portray him in bad light.

The ex-IYC boss stated, “I want to caution that no youth in the state should allow himself to be used for politically contracted protest in Rivers State on June 12.”

Kpokpo said anyone asking them to come out for such protest should first ask the said contractors to put their children at the forefront.

He said the suspended Governor Siminilaye Fubara had remained peaceful and deserved the support of well-meaning residents of the state.

“Their kids are all in London, Abuja and Lagos. How long will they be using our useful youths, the youths that will take over leadership of Rivers State? Please let’s be wise; let’s not be used against the effort and the interest of the Governor of Rivers State.

“The governor has been very peaceful, I don’t think in the next 10th generation we are going to have a governor like this. If the governor has advised that Rivers State should be peaceful, let it be peaceful. (Extracted from a report by The PUNCH)