The Nigeria Police Force have stated that the planned nationwide protest by the “Take It Back Movement” slated for Monday, April 7, 2025 was aimed at maligning the force and the sacrifices of men and officers.
The Take It Back Movement led by Omoyele Sowere and others had given notice of the protest prior to Sunday.
But the Police in a statement by its Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, said “the rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.”
It further stated that while the NPF was not against the exercise of citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force was deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.
In the statement tagged, Nationwide Protest: NPF Cautions Against Ill-Timed Protest Across The Country, the police authorities noted that Monday 7th April, 2025, was a day “earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.”
In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day.
Adejobi called on the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands.”
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