Teargas and Tyranny: Nigerian Police Clamp Down on Peaceful Protesters in Port Harcourt
In what many Nigerians now see as a grim reminder of the country’s democratic backsliding, officers of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday unleashed teargas and brute force on peaceful demonstrators gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The demonstrators, members of the Take It Back Movement, had assembled as early as 9am to demand good governance and the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. What began as a peaceful exercise of their constitutional right quickly turned into chaos as a heavy police presence turned hostile, with officers chasing, brutalizing, and arresting protesters — including journalists simply doing their jobs.
“Nobody can tell us where not to gather, we are Rivers people,” one young protester defiantly told officers moments before the violence broke out.
Despite notifying the police via an official letter dated April 3, 2025, the demonstrators were met not with dialogue or protection, but with the iron fist of a state increasingly intolerant of dissent.
Police Turn Protectors of Power, Not People
The Rivers State Police, instead of upholding the democratic right to protest, opted to silence voices critical of the state’s political instability. Reports from the scene indicate that officers beat several protesters and even attacked journalists, a move that smacks of totalitarianism.
This shameful crackdown raises urgent questions about the role of the police in a democracy. Are they defenders of the people or enforcers of the political elite?
A Protest for Democracy, Crushed by Democratic Hypocrisy
At the heart of the protest lies a deeper crisis: the alleged suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara — a move many view as unconstitutional and a gross violation of democratic norms. Protesters argue that Rivers State has been reduced to a political pawn in a high-stakes game, stripped of leadership chosen by the people.
“As it is, we have no government,” one protester said. “This government in Rivers State is alien to our people; it is unconstitutional. We are here to demand that our governor comes back to office. This is democracy, not military rule.”
In a country grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and rising authoritarianism, silencing protest amounts to silencing democracy itself.
Nationwide Anger, National Denial
Similar protests have broken out in Lagos, Oyo, and other states, with frustrated Nigerians calling for transparency, accountability, and respect for their rights. Yet, rather than listen to its people, the Nigerian government continues to bury its head in the sand.
The Nigeria Police Force, in a tone-deaf statement on Sunday, condemned the planned protests, calling them “ill-timed” and “mischievous” — citing the National Police Day celebration as a reason to suppress nationwide outrage.
“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt… to malign the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole,” said Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi.
This laughable justification begs the question: when is a good time to protest injustice?
Where Do We Go From Here?
What happened in Port Harcourt is not an isolated incident — it’s a reflection of a government more concerned with silencing criticism than addressing the root causes of discontent. The repeated use of force against peaceful protesters is a dangerous pattern, one that threatens the very foundations of democracy.
Nigerians are not asking for much. They want their votes to count. They want competent leaders. They want a government that listens, not one that lashes out.
Until those in power begin to respect the voice of the people, the unrest will continue. And no amount of teargas will be enough to choke the cry for justice.
Reference
Teargas and Tyranny: Nigerian Police Clamp Down on Peaceful Protesters in Port Harcourt