Five peaceful #FearlessInOctober protesters have been arrested by the Nigerian police in Jos, Plateau State.

The demonstration, which took place on Tuesday, called for better governance in response to the rising cost of goods and services, economic hardship and unfavourable policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The five protesters have been identified as Yakubu Idris, Umar Faruq Dandina, Nura Abubakar, Khalid Sulaiman, and Umar Faruk.

They were taken into custody while marching peacefully to express their concerns over economic hardship and alleged anti-people measures implemented by the government.

At the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the detained protesters remain unknown. However, the Take-It-Back Movement has called for their immediate release.

The protest was part of a larger national movement calling for reforms and accountability in governance.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force had forcefully dispersed protesters who gathered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital for the October 1 protest against exacerbating insecurity and poverty.

The operatives, according to various reports, were joined on the assault on law-abiding citizens by suspected political thugs, who also prevented media personnel from capturing photos or videos of the incident.

The crackdown appears to be in line with the state police’s prior warning to residents to prevent activities that could threaten peace during the 64th Independence Day celebration.

The protest, planned to take place in Port Harcourt, faced immediate opposition from stern-looking police officers who arrived at the protest location early.

The protesters were gathering at the popular Pleasure Park along the busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway when the policemen who were on combat gear arrived.

Accompanied by youths suspected to be political thugs, the police forcefully dispersed the protesters and took control of the area.
Despite the initial disruption, the determined protesters attempted to regroup at the Rumuola area, but police once again intervened and dispersed them.