Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, came to a standstill as protesters took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the new National Cybercrime Act. The protests, led by the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, drew attention to concerns about authoritarianism and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act.

Also, in Port Harcourt, the group in Rivers State took to the streets of Port Harcourt, marching through Aba Road in protest of the sacking of the state governor and House of Assembly members. They condemned the action as a blatant “rape of democracy”.

Tear Gas and Tensions

In Abuja, the protests turned intense when police operatives dispersed the crowd with tear gas in the Maitama area. The scene was chaotic, with protesters scrambling to escape the effects of the gas. “We were just expressing our rights, and they came at us with tear gas. It’s like they want to silence us,” said a protester.

Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate, was among the protesters. “We’re here to demand urgent government action on the worsening economic situation, repression, and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act,” he said, holding a placard that read, “Stop the Repression.”

Heavy Security Presence

The protests coincided with the grand finale of the weeklong National Police Day celebrations at the Eagle Square. The area was heavily guarded by police and military personnel, with roadblocks and security checks in place. The Central Business District, including key government buildings and institutions, was also under tight security.

A City in Turmoil

Commuters and civil servants found it difficult to access their offices following heavy blockade by police and the military. Protesters marched from Wuse 2 through the link road to Transcorp Hilton Hotel to Maitama, despite the heavy security presence.

The protests brought the city to a standstill, with many businesses and offices closed due to the security lockdown. The protesters’ demands for action on the economic situation and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act were clear, but the government’s response was equally clear: a heavy-handed approach to dissent. As one protester said, “We’re not going to back down. We want change, and we want it now.”

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