The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern warning to the organizers of a planned nationwide protest slated for today, calling it “ill-timed, provocative, and potentially destabilizing.” The announcement comes amid rising social and economic tensions across the country.
In a statement released late Sunday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi urged citizens to resist being drawn into actions that could “threaten national security or disrupt public order.” He emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the current socio-political atmosphere requires “restraint and dialogue, not confrontation.”
The protest reportedly being organized by a coalition of civil society groups, student unions, and labour-aligned activists is expected to address issues ranging from fuel price hikes and inflation to insecurity and wage stagnation.
Though details of the protest remain fluid, online mobilization and posters across major cities indicate gatherings were being planned in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano.
Police commands in multiple states have reportedly been placed on standby, with increased presence at strategic locations. Authorities claim the protest could be hijacked by “subversive elements” to incite violence.
“The right to protest does not extend to threatening public peace,” Adejobi said. “We have credible intelligence that some actors are planning to use the protest to instigate chaos, loot, and cause damage to public infrastructure.”
Organizers, however, have accused the police of attempting to stifle dissent and silence legitimate grievances. A spokesperson for one of the civil groups involved told TheLink News that the protest is “a peaceful stand against worsening living conditions and unaccountable governance,” not an attempt to destabilize the country.
“They say it’s ill-timed when exactly is the right time to demand change?” asked Bimbo Okonkwo, a student activist involved in the Lagos protest plan. “People are hungry, angry, and tired of being ignored.”
Legal experts say the police response reflects a broader tension between state security interests and civic freedoms. While the constitution guarantees freedom of assembly, Nigerian authorities frequently cite “security threats” as a basis for clamping down on protests.
“This tactic of calling every protest a threat is problematic,” said constitutional lawyer Abdulrahman Gidado. “Authorities must learn to engage, not just suppress.”
With the economic crunch deepening and public frustration rising, analysts say how the government handles this protest whether it goes ahead or is stopped—could set the tone for civic engagement and political dissent in the months leading to the 2027 elections.
The police’s warning may deter some demonstrators, but the grievances fueling the planned protest remain unaddressed. Whether or not people hit the streets today, the message is clear: the public mood is increasingly restless, and the demand for accountability is not going away.
