Tensions escalated on Sunday as police clashed with supporters of the #TakeItBack movement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, firing tear gas to disperse protesters who refused to leave despite orders to vacate.
The protest, organized by the Take It Back Movement, Civil Society Organizations, and the Niger Delta Congress, began peacefully at Isaac Boro Park, where demonstrators gathered to demand change. However, the peaceful demonstration quickly turned confrontational when officers from the Rivers State Police Command arrived and insisted the protesters relocate to another venue.
Unfazed by the police directive, the protesters, led by chants and solidarity songs, continued their march, moving from Isaac Boro Park toward the busy Aba Express Road. As the group reached CFC junction, they were intercepted by heavily armed anti-riot police, who once again demanded that they disperse.
The protesters stood their ground, but in response, the police launched tear gas canisters, sending the groups scattering for cover as the air became thick with smoke. The move left demonstrators fleeing for safety and halted the march, which had previously remained peaceful.
At the time of writing, further details are awaited on the aftermath of the incident and whether there were any arrests or injuries. The protest, which aimed to raise awareness about key issues affecting the Niger Delta region, was intended to highlight local concerns about governance and justice.
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