June 12 Democracy Day protesters seek protection from Lagos Police, citing constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Take It Back Movement has called on the Lagos State Police Command to ensure the safety of participants in the planned June 12 Democracy Day protest.

Also read: FG declares June 12, 2025 as public holiday to mark 26 years of civil rule

In an open letter addressed to Lagos Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh, the group’s Lagos Coordinator, Adekunle Taofeek, said the protest was a constitutionally protected action, not a privilege to be requested.

The letter, dated Tuesday and obtained by PUNCH Online, reads: On June 12, 2025, the people of Nigeria, young and old, working class and unemployed, angry and awake, will take to the streets in peaceful protest against the unbearable insecurity and economic hardship that have strangled this nation.

Taofeek reminded authorities that June 12 symbolises the Nigerian people’s fight for democracy, adding: “We never begged for freedom.

We fought for it, and we will continue to fight, peacefully but fearlessly, until this country works for all of us.

Citing Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the group emphasised the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, warning that no law empowers police to crush or criminalise peaceful dissent.”

The Take It Back Movement urged the police to focus on protecting, not suppressing, protesters.

Deploy officers to protect protesters, not to harass or assault them, the letter stated.

We expect your men to behave professionally and with restraint.

June 12 is officially marked as Democracy Day in Nigeria, commemorating the annulled 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola.