Ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day, the #TakeItBackMovement has insisted on the nationwide protest scheduled for Thursday.
The organisers Tuesday released a list of designated locations where demonstrators are expected to gather.
June 12 was adopted in 2018 by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, election, Moshood Abiola.
This year’s commemoration marks 26-year uninterrupted democratic rule in the country.
Fayoade, who spoke to Daily Trust via telephone, said he directed that personnel of the anti-riot and regular police be deployed to many vulnerable points in both states with particular emphasis directed at the Kara bridge area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The AIG said there would be increased police presence at the Freedom Park in Ojota, Alausa, Surulere and Ikeja in Lagos as well as in Kuto, Gbara, Sango and Shagamu in Ogun State.
“The template is there. The Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun States respectively know what to do.
“However, I have directed that specific attention should be directed at vulnerable points. This is not to say that we are anticipating any breakdown of law and order. However, we must be proactive in our approach,” he said.
Fayoade added that anti-crime teams had been stationed at black spots, criminal hideouts and flashpoints to deter illegal activities.
He said Armoured Personnel Carriers and vehicular patrols had been deployed to secure government installations.
The organisers said the protest is against hardship, insecurity and a “shrinking civic space” under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The movement’s national coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, disclosed that demonstrations would take place in at least 20 states.
“In Abuja, protesters will assemble at Eagle Square by 8:00 a.m. In Lagos, there are four rally points: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate, all starting from 7:00 a.m.,” he said.
Other locations include; Cathedral Junction in Akure, Ondo State (8:00 a.m.); Museum Ground in Benin City, Edo State (9:00 a.m.); and Gida Matasa in Niger State (8:00 a.m.).
Protesters in Damaturu, Yobe State, he said, will gather at the Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout at 7:30 a.m., while in Ibadan, Oyo State, the rally will take place at Mokola Roundabout from 8:00 a.m.
In Bauchi, according to the group, the protest will be held opposite the Bauchi School of ACR at Yelewam Makaranta by 8:00 a.m. and in Osogbo, Osun State, at Olaiya Junction.
The organisers said the protest would be held in multiple locations in Delta State, including Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele, Summit Junction and Koka Junction in Asaba, Otovwodo Junction in Ughelli, PTI Junction, Effurun and DSC Roundabouts in Warri and Police Station Junction in Abraka.
According to the organisers, “June 12 is not a date for silence but a reminder that Nigerians never begged for freedom. We have fought for it. And we will continue to fight, peacefully but fearlessly, until this country works for all of us.
“On June 12, 2025, the people of Nigeria, young and old, working class and unemployed, angry and awake, will take to the streets in peaceful protest against the unbearable insecurity and economic hardship that have strangled this nation.
“Protesting is not a request; it is a constitutional right. Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grant every Nigerian the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. No law gives the police the power to crush or criminalise peaceful dissent.
“Therefore, we demand that the Lagos State Police Command desist from any attempt to suppress, brutalise or arrest peaceful protesters.
“Deploy officers to protect protesters, not to harass or assault them.”
The group said it expected policemen to “behave professionally and with restraint.”
We’re unaware of planned protest-Ogun, Adamawa police commands
In Ogun State, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, in an interview with Daily Trust yesterday, said: “No individual or group has interacted with me on that and as we speak, we do not envisage that in Ogun State. June 12 is just one or two days away and we are prepared. Nigerians are expected to come out and mark the day peacefully.
“So, we have not had any conversation with any individual or group of people on that. We are not looking forward to that, but we are prepared for the day.
“June 12 is for all Nigerians and we do not expect any individual or group of individuals to cause mayhem or disturb others from marking the event. My advice to all will be to mark the ceremony peacefully and look forward to a better Nigeria.
“We don’t want controversy or incidents that will mar the event. So, everybody should go about their activities peacefully, and the police and other security agencies will be on ground to make sure there is no breakdown of law and other.”
Similarly, the spokesman of the Adamawa State Police Command, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, said: “The command has not been informed about any protest, and we are yet to see any report from any angle indicating there will be a protest on June 12.
“If we are informed, we will notify this medium promptly.”
However, a leader of the TakeItBack Movement in the state confirmed the planned protest.
In Edo State, the coordinator of the movement, Hafiz Lawal, told Daily Trust that the protest would be held peacefully in Benin City and Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.
He said the protest was called against hunger, social injustice, insecurity, bad economy, among others.
The Bauchi State Police Command yesterday declined to comment on whether or not it was notified about the planned protest in the state.
Its spokesman, Mohammed Ahmed Wakil did not answer call and did not reply the text and WhatsApp messages sent to his mobile telephone line.
But the organisers said they would use Yelwa, near College of Agriculture, as the venue of the protest.
Don’t attack protesters, HURIWA cautions police
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned the Nigeria Police Force against using force on peaceful demonstrators.
In a statement issued by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group expressed concern over reports that past peaceful protests across the country were violently disrupted by police operatives, often resulting in injuries and loss of life.
It called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure his officers refrain from deploying lethal weapons against peaceful protesters, stressing that freedom of assembly is a constitutional right in a democratic society.
“Nigerians are preparing to participate in a nationwide peaceful protest on June 12 to demand good governance, accountability, an end to insecurity, police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and the worsening economic crisis,” the statement read.
The group condemned the violent responses of armed police operatives to previous peaceful demonstrations, noting that such actions promote state-sponsored impunity. It added that officers responsible for past killings of protesters have not been held accountable.
“It is unacceptable that in a country that claims to practice constitutional democracy, peaceful protesters are treated like armed terrorists. The frequent killings of protesters, without consequences, suggest a disturbing level of impunity and abuse of power,” HURIWA stated.
The organisation decried the systematic disruption of protests, particularly in Abuja, where security forces have allegedly fired tear gas and live ammunition to prevent access to symbolic venues like the Eagle Square in the past.
“Despite repeated use of force, protesters have consistently regrouped and continued their demonstrations, showing that violence has failed to suppress civil dissent. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must recognise the futility of using armed force to silence constitutionally guaranteed freedom.
“We urge the president to instruct the security forces to cease further attacks on protesters and create a safe environment where citizens can exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation,” it stated.
DAILY TRUST.
