In a statement released on Monday by its National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, the YRC condemned the use of force by security agencies against peaceful protesters.

The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what it described as escalating attacks on free speech and democratic rights across Nigeria. 

The group also demanded the immediate release of Take It Back (TIB) Movement protesters arrested in Abuja, Yobe, Delta, and other parts of the country during a protest against Cybercrime Act, emergency rule in Rivers State among others, on Monday.

In a statement released on Monday by its National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, the YRC condemned the use of force by security agencies against peaceful protesters.

“We condemn the use of teargas and firearms against peaceful protesters in Abuja and Rivers State by the Nigeria Police,” Nwapa said. 

“We also condemn the arrest and intimidation of some protesters in Abuja, Yobe, and Delta State.”

Nwapa accused the Tinubu-led government of descending into authoritarianism since taking office, citing “unprecedented repression of dissenting voices, attacks on freedom of speech, and gross abuse of power” through the use of law enforcement and the judiciary.

“The President Bola Tinubu regime has continued to sink Nigeria into dictatorship. Since assuming office, we have witnessed unprecedented repression of dissent voices, attacks on freedom of speech and gross abuse of power by the regime using law enforcement institutions and the judiciary. 

“We demand immediate release of those arrested and an end to attacks on democratic rights. Protest is an inalienable right.” 

We condemn the use of teargas firearms against peaceful Protesters in Abua & Rivers State by @PoliceNG . We also condemn the arrest and intimidation of some protesters in Abuja, Yobe and Delta State. The @officialABAT regime has continue to sink Nigeria into Dictatorship. Since pic.twitter.com/SUoHLrOoTi

— Francis Nwapa (@FNwapa) April 7, 2025

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Yobe State coordinator of TIB, Abubakar Jawa, was arrested by security agents on Monday while converging ahead of planned protests demanding the immediate repeal of the controversial Cybercrime Act.

Jawa was arrested alongside four others: Mohammed Kayeri Adam, Suleiman A. Gambo, Maimuna Abba, and Abubakar Jawa. While the specific reasons for their arrest remain unclear, the incident has attracted significant attention in the state.

SaharaReporters gathered that the arrest was made while they were gathering at a designated location for Monday's protest against the Cybercrime Act.

Also, the officers of the Nigeria police arrested a popular social media influencer in Abuja known as Flag Boy along with three other protesters during the demonstration.

The protesters, who had gathered near the Transcorp Hilton in Maitama after being blocked from the Eagle Square and Federal Secretariat, were met with force by armed police officers deployed by President Tinubu’s administration.

Upon arrival, the police fired teargas canisters at the protesters, triggering chaos in the area as several individuals sought refuge inside the Transcorp Hilton, including former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.

Flag Boy, who was holding the national flag, was singled out by the police, assaulted, and subsequently taken away in a police van, along with two other demonstrators.

The Take It Back movement, known for its vocal stance against corruption and bad governance, has held a series of protests in recent months, drawing increasing scrutiny from security forces. 

Civil society groups and rights activists have raised alarms over what they call shrinking civic space in the country.