Workers and Youth Solidarity Movement (WYSN)
Press Statement
8th April, 2025
#REPEAL CYBERCRIME ACT NOW
END VIOLENT ATTACKS ON PEACEFUL PROTESTS
The Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) strongly condemns the violent attacks across Nigeria on peaceful protesters demanding the repeal of the Cybercrime Act.
On 7th April, a nationwide action was held against the Cybercrime Act, the emergency rule in Rivers State, and the worsening economic hardship across the country. We condemn the use of teargas and live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators. States affected include Yobe, Delta, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The state’s brutality in violently suppressing protests is alarming and must be decisively challenged by the Nigerian people. Democracy loses its meaning when citizens are denied the right to express grievances through protest. The violent disruption of protests called by Take It Back Movement (TIB) by armed police was unjustified and represents an assault on democratic rights.
WYSN supports all political actions resisting the crackdown on dissenting voices under the Tinubu regime. We strongly condemn the repressive conduct of the Nigerian police and the dangerous tilt of the Tinubu-led administration towards authoritarianism. Since assuming office, President Tinubu has increasingly shown authoritarian tendencies by relentlessly repressing dissent. His authoritarianism stinks—abusing power daily, as seen in the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State and the continuous use of law enforcement and the judiciary against movements.
From available information, the Yobe State coordinator of Take It Back, Abubakar Jawa, was arrested along with three others: Muhammed Kayeri Adam, Suleiman A. Gambon, and Maimuna Abba.
During the protests in Abuja, police also arrested a well-known social media influencer known as Flag Boy along with three other demonstrators. Flag Boy, who was holding the Nigerian national flag, was dragged along the road by police officers. All those arrested have since been released.
We maintain that protest is a fundamental human right that must be protected— also against police brutality.
If the police wanted to do something useful, as they claim their mission is, it should focus on protecting lives and combating terrorist activities. According to a report by Amnesty International, terrorists killed 71 Nigerians and abducted 50 others across the northern states within a single week. In the same period, 52 people were killed in Plateau State, 13 in Kebbi, and six in Katsina. In Katsina alone, gunmen have abducted over 50 people. These rampaging attackers are escalating deadly violence in rural areas, displacing hundreds—yet the Tinubu government has failed to act meaningfully.
We call on all Nigerians to resist repression and uphold democratic rights. We believe that freedom is won through struggle, and we must unite to resist the drift to authoritarianism.
We will continue the struggle to force the Tinubu government to accept the demands of the protesters. The Cybercrime Act must immediately be withdrawn. Nigerian workers and youth will not allow this administration to curtail freedom of expression for the sake of a few individuals in power.
We call on the Labour Centres to support this struggle and stand with Nigerian grassroots to end these anti-people policies.
Moses Douglas
Publicity Secretary
