Police officers on Monday used teargas to disrupt protests held in Abuja and Port Harcourt by members of the Take It Back Movement.
The demonstrators had gathered to show anger over the emergency rule in Rivers State and what they called the misuse of the cybercrime act.
In Abuja, protesters assembled in the Maitama area to express concerns over the country’s rising economic hardship and political tensions in Rivers State.
The protests, led by Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate, was part of a wider demonstration planned in different parts of the country.
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However, the protest was interrupted when police released tear gas, causing people to flee in different directions.
Security officials had earlier urged the organisers to cancel the protest and choose dialogue with the government instead.
Despite this, the protest went ahead, coinciding with National Police Day.
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a similar protest took place at Isaac Boro Park.
Protesters arrived at the park early in the morning but were quickly dispersed by officers who also used tear gas. Some protesters and journalists were reportedly beaten during the chaos.
The group claimed it had informed the police of its plans ahead of the protest, but still faced a rough response.
The demonstrations are taking place weeks after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following ongoing political struggles involving the governor.
Protesters say the emergency rule is wrong and are calling for it to be ended.
Protests linked to the same cause also happened in Lagos and other major cities.
