The Take It Back Movement, the driving force behind the June 12 Democracy Day protest, has officially notified the Lagos State Police Command and requested protection for protesters. In an open letter to the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, Adekunle Taofeek, the TIB Coordinator in Lagos, conveyed the urgency of ensuring the safety of participants during the demonstration.
The letter, dated Tuesday, serves as a formal declaration of the planned protest against the backdrop of insecurity and economic hardship in Nigeria. According to Adekunle, “On June 12, 2025, the people of Nigeria will take to the streets in peaceful protest against the unbearable insecurity and economic hardship that have strangled this nation.” The movement views June 12 as a day to remember the relentless pursuit of freedom by Nigerians, emphasizing that such rights were never begged for but fought for.
The organizers are firm in their stance that protesting is a constitutionally protected right, citing sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. They maintain that the police do not have the authority to quell or criminalize peaceful expressions of dissent. The letter specifically calls on the Lagos State Police Command to prevent any attempts to suppress, brutalize, or arrest peaceful protesters, urging them to deploy officers to safeguard the demonstrators and to act with professionalism and restraint.
June 12 is a significant date in Nigeria’s history, commemorating the annulled 1993 presidential election, which was won by Moshood Abiola. This year’s Democracy Day marks 26 years since the country’s transition from military rule in 1999, underscoring the importance of continued democratic values and practices.