A youth group, Take It Back Movement, Osun State chapter, has accused the police of attempting to disrupt their peaceful protest by seizing a vehicle they rented.
During a press briefing at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, the movement’s leader, Oguntola Sunday, expressed frustration over the seizure, which occurred despite the peaceful nature of the protest.
Sunday vowed that the protests would continue until the economic hardships imposed by President Tinubu’s administration were addressed.
“The Nigerian Police came in large numbers and tried to stop our protest, even seizing the vehicle we rented for our sound system, including speakers and DJ,” Sunday explained. “They claimed we hadn’t informed them about the protest, but we made it clear that we don’t need their permission to hold a peaceful protest.”
He further emphasized the group’s commitment, saying, “As long as Tinubu’s policies continue to cause suffering, we will remain on the streets. Whether it takes a year or 10 years, we will keep protesting.”
The group plans to continue gathering at Freedom Park from 7 a.m. daily and march to Olaiya.
In response, ASP Giwa-alade Emmanuel, acting Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, stated that the Take It Back Movement had initially requested permission to hold a peaceful protest on October 1 through their national body.
“Their national body wrote to the Inspector General of Police about a scheduled protest for October 1,” Emmanuel said. He added that the group’s action was inconsistent with the agreement reached by their national body and police authorities.
While he could not confirm if the protesters’ vehicle had indeed been seized, Emmanuel assured that if it were true, the vehicle would be returned.
