By Jethro Ibileke
The nationwide #TakeItBack protest slated for Thursday, June 12, 2025, to coincide with the Democracy Day was on Thursday called off in Edo State by the organizers.
The protest which was scheduled to take off at the National Museum ground, in Benin City, and in Auchi respectively, was called off by the #TakeItBackMovement, over alleged security concern.
The protest was to call the attention of the government to the growing hunger, social injustice, insecurity, bad economy, cyber crime act, kidnapping, illegal detention in the country.
There was heavy security presence in the Benin City center with the Police, the Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Edo State Security Corps operatives delpoyed in strategic areas of the city to forestall breakdown of law and order.
Heavy security was also observed at strategic points and major junctions within the metropolis, while a police armoured carrier was also stationed at the Ring Road.
Security vehicles were also seen blaring sirens as they patrol major roads, to announce their presence and perhaps warn trouble makers.
The Coordinator of #TakeItBackMovement in Edo, Dr. Hafiz Lawal, said the protest was called off in the State over to security concerns.
He cited concern over possibility of it being hijacked by hoodlums as reason for the cancellation.
“As you know, there had been spate of cultism and killing of young ones in the State. There was an interest that came in last night (Wednesday), so we have to call of the strike to avoid any hijack,” he said.
Dr. Lawal who appealed to the youths to come out for the protest whenever they are called upon to do so, said the organisers are going to rescheduled the protest in the State and that he would informed the media of the new date.
The #TakeItBackMovement Coordinator confirmed that they were not being pressured to shelve the protest, noting that “the Police and the Directorate of State Security (DSS), have been very supportive in past protests.”
He called the media and other stakeholders to support the fight against social injustice, suffering and insecurity and bad governance
