The River State Police Commander opened tear gas to protesters Monday morning and gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, the capital of River State.
When they gathered at the protest venue at 9 a.m., the protesters were greeted by members of the “Bring Back Movement”.
Young protesters told police not to hold protests.
Police ardently hunted down protesters and beat some of them, including journalists who reported the event.
Protesters earlier told police that they had informed the police headquarters of the intention to present the demonstration in an April 3, 2025 letter.
One of the protesters told reporters that the “peaceful protest” was to express their dissatisfaction to the government. “We are not here for violence,” he said.
The protesters listed some of their grievances, including the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the moratorium on Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He said: “We have no government. This government in River State is alien to our people; it is unconstitutional. We are here to ask our governor to return to his post and lead us properly. We have a social contract with the governor rather than the only executive. It is democratic.”
