The Nigeria Police Force has expressed its awareness of plans by a group called the “Take it Back Movement” to hold protests in various states, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday, April 7, 2025. The Nigerian government has designated this date as National Police Day, a day meant to honor the resilience and dedication of Nigeria’s police officers.
While the police emphasised that they do not oppose exercising citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution, they voiced significant concerns about the timing and motives behind the protest. The police pointed out that the protest was scheduled for the same day as a high-profile event celebrating the Nigeria Police Force’s contributions to national security. The event was expected to attract dignitaries from across the globe, including foreign Inspectors-General of Police and various diplomats. The police raised apprehensions that the protest could disrupt the planned celebration and undermine the efforts of the police force in maintaining security.
Read the full Press Release Below:
PRESS RELEASE NATIONWIDE PROTEST: NPF CAUTIONS AGAINST ILL-TIMED PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY
The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called “Take it Back Movement” is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.
In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day. The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.
The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organisers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous. The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organisers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
6TH APRIL 2025
