Take-It-Back: Police Block Protesters From Lagos Assembly

• Police Block Protesters From Lagos Assembly.
• Protesters decry Cybercrime Act, hardship, illegal demolitions.
• Police offer limited access, insist protest must remain outside.

The Take-It-Back protest movement faced a major obstacle on Monday as police officers prevented protesters from accessing the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Demonstrators had marched from the Ikeja Underbridge to the Assembly complex, carrying placards with bold messages such as, “Any law that forbids us from speaking our truth against oppression in Nigeria is no longer a law but shackles of slavery.”

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the protest was aimed at voicing anger over the Cybercrime Act, worsening economic hardship, and alleged illegal demolitions in the state.

However, upon arrival at the Assembly, police officers blocked the entrance, refusing the protesters access to the complex. The move drew sharp criticism from the movement’s national coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, who condemned the action as a violation of democratic rights.

Speaking to officers at the scene, Sanyaolu said, “It is an obstruction to democratic rights. I don’t know as a lawless person,” as he accused the police of stifling citizens’ constitutional right to engage with their elected representatives.

According to Daily Trust, the police, led by Tijani Fatai, addressed the crowd and informed them that their protest would not proceed into the Assembly premises. Fatai stated, “This is not the first time we are engaging you. Any protest in this assembly stops here, and if you want a representative, they will come to meet you here.”

Despite the blockade, the protesters maintained a peaceful stance, insisting on their right to be heard and to freely express their grievances against government policies they believe limit freedom of speech.

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