The Lagos State Police Command has placed all its commanders and officers on alert ahead of a planned nationwide protest slated for April 7, 2025.

This directive follows intelligence reports indicating that certain groups, reportedly operating under the banner of civil society organisations, CSOs, are mobilising citizens for demonstrations across the country.

In a circular signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tijani O. Fatai, the Command warned of coordinated efforts to stage protests focused on rising living costs and alleged government clampdowns on free speech.

The circular reads: “Intelligence report at the Command disposal reveals a plan by some subversive groups parading themselves as Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and other misguided anti-government forces, to incite nationwide protest on 7th April 2025 aimed at drawing the attention of the Government to their perceived prevailing high cost of living and free speech suppression.

“Furthermore, the groups have flooded the social media platforms with narrations geared towards winning public sympathy, discrediting the government and galvanising support for the protest.

Experience has shown that criminals may want to seize the opportunity of the protest to cause mayhem, particularly to launch attacks on government facilities and opposition leaders to disrupt socio-economic activities in the State, amongst others.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has ordered security measures to be beefed up around critical installations and other strategic locations across the State in order to forestall any untoward development before, during and after the proposed protest.

“ MISSION: This operation order is aimed at achieving the following; To ensure that the protest is carried out without any security hitch;

“To prevent criminals/hoodlums/miscreants from hijacking the protest and/or perpetrating any evil act before, during and after protest; to ensure notable points of convergence for such protest in the State, particularly, Gani Fawehinmi Park; National Stadium; Labour House, Yaba; Ikorodu Roundabout; Ikeja Underbridge; Obalende Underbridge; Ikotun Roundabout; Allen Roundabout; Iyana-Iba; Chevron Roundabout: Ajah; Oshodi; Iyana-Ipaja; Abule Egba; Trade-Fair; Cele Express/Oke-Afa/Ejigbo; Apple Junction, Ajao Estate, I jora-Olopa Underbridge; Ojuelegba; Falomo; Marina/Broad Street; Otedola Underbridge; Iponri/Breweries; Igando; LASU/Ojo; Mushin, Idi-Oro; Ketu/Mile 12 Underbridge.

“Berger Bridge; Pen-Cinema; Lekki Toll-Gate; Lekki/Ikoyi Link Bridge By Admiralty Way are well dominated by Policemen to forestall breakdown of law and order; to ensure adequate security around all critical infrastructures/installations, particularly, Eqbin Terminal, Ijede; INEC Offices; Print and Electronic Media Houses; Police facilities; State House Alausa/Marina; Secretariat Alausa; Filling Stations; National Theatre, Iganmu; Rice Mill, Imota; Food Hubs/Warehouses; Major Markets/Parks/Hospitals/Malls; Train Stations; LASWA Ferry Terminal at Bariga/Langbasa/Ikorodu; Cowrie, Victoria Island; LAMATA Bus Terminals at Abule-Egba/Iyana-Oworo/Ikotun/Igando/Ojodu/Oshodi/ Berger; Sangotedo; Fela Shrine; Federal/State High Court/Court of Appeal and other government facilities across the State; etc

“To ensure all Law abiding citizens go about their normal business throughout the period unhindered; to ensure free flow of traffic in the State throughout the period of the protest; to ensure security of lives and property in the state before, during and after the protest.

“FORCES AVAILABLE: Manpower for this operation will be drawn from Department of Operations, Ikeja, State Criminal and Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID), Yaba; Area Command Headquarters, Rapid Response Squad, Alausa; Task Force, Oshodi; PMF 2 Keffi; 20/22 PMF Ikeja: 23 Keffi; 43 Lion Building; 49 PMF Epe: 63 PMF Ikorodu, Counter Terrorism Unit Base 2, Special Protection Unit Bases 2, 16, 17 Lagos, and Anti Bomb Disposal Base 23, Lagos.”

Recall that the Take-It-Back (TIB) movement and several allied groups had announced a nationwide protest aimed at challenging the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and what they describe as the unconstitutional “state of emergency” currently unfolding in Rivers State.

The planned demonstrations have attracted widespread attention from civil society organisations and rights activists, who accuse the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using the Cybercrime Act to suppress press freedom and silence dissenting voices including journalists, social media users, and government critics.

In a press briefing, TIB National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, outlined the key demands of the protest, chief among them being the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and an end to what he called “military-style governance” in Rivers State.

He condemned the alleged clampdown on democratic institutions and demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended State House of Assembly and the state’s executive structures.

Sanyaolu emphasised that the protests would not be restricted to the Federal Capital Territory but would spread across various parts of the country, with organisers planning multiple simultaneous demonstrations.

The new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, has officially taken over the reins of the company from his predecessor, Mr. Mele Kyari.

In a brief handover ceremony held at the NNPC Towers on Friday, the GCEO commended Kyari for his contributions to the growth of NNPCL and his sterling service to the nation.

Ojulari disclosed that the objective of his management was to consolidate on the successes of his predecessor and take the company to the next level.

He said though the targets set for his management were quite enormous, he would be relying on the co-operation of the management and staff of the company, as well as the counsel of his predecessor to achieve set targets.

“I will be counting on your support. I will need it. I will be coming around to seek your counsel,” Ojulari told Kyari.

Earlier in his remarks, Kyari congratulated Ojulari and thanked the management and staff of the company for their support while in office.

He pledged to do everything within his power to support the new management to succeed, stressing that he was only a call away.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ayo Sotinrin as the new Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, effective immediately.

Mr. Sotinrin brings a diverse and extensive background in the private and public sectors to his new role.

Before his appointment, he held the position of Group Chief Executive Officer at SAO Group. His leadership at SAO Agro, an agribusiness company, was marked by groundbreaking agricultural initiatives, including developing a 20,000-hectare oil palm plantation and large-scale poultry, aquaculture, maize, and cassava operations in Ondo State.

He also led SAO Capital, raising over $750 million in infrastructure and development finance, including the landmark $200 million Akure Water Supply Project.

In the public sector, he served as Special Adviser (Environment & Urban Development) to the Minister of State FCT from 2011 to 2015.

He has consulted extensively for global development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, DFID, and USAID and played key advisory roles on federal and state-level projects. His international background includes roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland International, Deutsche Bank, and the UK Environment Agency.

Mr. Sotinrin holds an Executive MBA from Said Business School, Oxford University; an Advanced Diploma in Environmental Conservation; and a Master’s in Engineering Business Management from Warwick University.

Mr Sotinrin’s appointment aligns with the Tinubu administration’s strategy to revitalise Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“Mr Sotinrin’s proven ability to mobilise capital, innovate in agribusiness, and collaborate across sectors will be instrumental in repositioning the Bank of Agriculture as a catalyst for food security, sovereignty and rural prosperity”, President Tinubu emphasised.