South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI), has vehemently condemned the attack by some police officers on protesters at the CFC flyover in Rivers State on Monday, April 7, 2025.
The group slammed police for firing tear gas canisters to disperse youths participating in a peaceful demonstration against what they described as the government’s recent anti-democratic actions, under the ‘Take-It-Back Movement’.
SSYI National President, Mr Oscar Saviour Imeabe, in a statement on Monday, said, “it is unfortunate that President Bola Tinubu shows no regard for the Rule of Law.
“More concerning, however, is the fact that the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has acted in direct contradiction to all known democratic processes, blindly following the bidding of Abuja-based politicians to engage in actions that are against the will of people of Rivers State.
“Every citizen has the right to protest whenever there is a breach of their constitutional rights or privileges. I have never witnessed a situation where citizens are barred from exercising their rights in a sane society.”
Imeabe stated, “I was reliably informed on Sunday evening that the police and the Department of State Security (DSS) have been asked to shoot at me should I attempt to participate in the Take-It-Back protest.
“Any nation that seeks to silence the voices of its citizens is only stifling its own development. I wonder why such a mandate would be given against me, a law-abiding citizen of this country.
“This threat is clearly meant to deter me and others from participating in a protest that would draw global attention to the anti-democratic actions of President Bola Tinubu and those supporting him. Thank God the threat could not stop the democratic process.”
He assured that, “I will not stop to participate in a process that will protect our rights as citizens of this country and Rivers state. I will be leading the next protest to call on the attentions of Nigerians and the international community to the devastating negative impact that we are getting from the Nigerian government.
“We will not be deterred by the tear-gassing of our youth, who are merely exercising their constitutional rights. The actions of the police make it clear that they are not interested in fostering development, ensuring the security of life and property, or upholding the sanity of the nation. Instead, their focus seems solely on what will benefit the President and his decisions.
“We are deeply concerned that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, democracy has been trampled upon in Rivers State. Rather than restoring democratic processes, Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has begun dismantling the governance structures put in place by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
“The protest of today is small because we, the leaders and members of the South-South Youths Initiative (SSYI), are already mobilising youths across the state to stage an even larger protest to express our grievances over the President’s undemocratic decision and actions in Rivers State.”
Related News: Take-It-Back Movement Turns Violent As Police, Protesters Clash In Rivers
