On June 12, Nigeria's Democracy Day, the "Take It Back Movement" is organizing nationwide protests to express grievances against the current administration. The demonstrations, scheduled across at least 20 locations in Nigeria's North, South, East, and West, aim to highlight growing economic hardship, widespread insecurity, and what organizers describe as a crackdown on civil liberties under President Bola Tinubu's government.
Key protest locations include Eagle Square in Abuja (8:00 am), and four spots in Lagos: Badagry, Maryland, Agbara, and Toll Gate (all starting 7:00 am).
Other significant venues are Cathedral Junction in Akure, Ondo State (8:00 am), Museum Ground in Benin City (9:00 am), Gida Matasa in Niger State (8:00 am), and multiple points in Delta State, including Amukpe Roundabout in Sapele, Summit Junction and Koka Junction in Asaba, Otovwodo Junction in Ughelli, Effurun Roundabout, PTI Junction, and DSC Roundabout in Warri, and Police Station Junction in Abraka. Further protests are planned for Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan, Oyo State (8:00 am), Kasuwan Gamboru Flyover in Borno (8:00 am), Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, Osun State, Juppu Jam Road in Yola, Adamawa, Maiduguri Bypass Roundabout in Damaturu, Yobe, and Bauchi School of ACR in Bauchi (Yelewam Makaranta, 8:00 am).
Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the movement, emphasized that these protests are a way for citizens to exercise their democratic rights and demand accountability from the government, whose primary duty, according to the Constitution, is the security and welfare of its people.
Sanyaolu pointed to an Amnesty International report, claiming over 10,000 Nigerians have died due to insecurity since President Tinubu took office. He also highlighted the severe displacement of people, with over 40,000 displaced in Benue State and around 68,000 in Plateau, stating that the government appears "indifferent" to the suffering.
The movement further accuses the Tinubu administration of suppressing freedom of speech and hounding government critics, warning that the "civic space is under attack." Sanyaolu also issued a stern reminder to security agencies that their duty is to protect protesters, as the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed and upheld by the Supreme Court. He urged all Nigerians to "reclaim the soul of the country" and actively oppose bad governance.
