Organisers for the June 12 Democracy Day protest, The Take It Back Movement, has written to the Lagos State Police Command to request security for protesters.
In an open letter to Moshood Jimoh, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Taofeek, the TIB Coordinator in Lagos, stated that the letter served as official and public notice of the protest.
In the Tuesday letter obtained, Adekunle said, “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.”
According to the organisers, June 12 is not a date for silence but a reminder that Nigerians never begged for freedom. “We have fought for it. And we will continue to fight, peacefully but fearlessly, until this country works for all of us.”
“Protesting is not a request; it is a constitutional right, sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grant every Nigerian the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. No law gives the police the power to crush or criminalist peaceful dissent.”
He added, “Therefore, we demand that the Lagos State Police Command desist from any attempts to suppress, brutalise, or arrest peaceful protesters.
“Deploy officers to protect protesters, not to harass or assault them.”
The letter added, “We expect your men to behave professionally and with restraint. “
Since the military junta led by Ibrahim Babangida cancelled Moshood Abiola’s victory in the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared June 12 to be Democracy Day.
This year commemoration also marks 26 years of democratic rule in Nigeria since transition from military rule in 1999.
