Take It Back Movement Condemns Revocation of Sowore’s Bail, Alleges Crackdown on Opposition

The Take It Back Movement has condemned the reported revocation of the bail granted to human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing the development as part of an escalating crackdown on opposition voices in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the movement argued that the action goes beyond a legal matter and reflects what it described as a broader attempt to intimidate critics, activists, journalists, and opposition figures.

According to the group, the treatment of Sowore fits into a pattern of alleged political persecution aimed at weakening democratic resistance and discouraging alternative political movements.

The movement further alleged that the growing popularity of Sowore and the AAC among Nigerians dissatisfied with the country’s economic and security challenges may be contributing to the pressure on opposition voices.

TIB maintained that no amount of intimidation, arrest threats, or legal actions would stop Nigerians from demanding political change and accountability.

It called on civil society organizations, students, workers, youth groups, and other democratic stakeholders to resist what it described as attempts to shrink the country’s democratic space.

The group also insisted that efforts to suppress opposition politics would only strengthen the determination of those seeking reforms, adding that Nigerians remain committed to the struggle for justice, accountability, and democratic governance.

‘Come Out on Monday’, Sowore Mobilises Nigerians for #TinubuMustGo Protest

 

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on Nigerians across the country to participate in a planned protest on Monday, urging citizens to demand action over the growing insecurity crisis and the continued captivity of many Nigerians in the hands of kidnappers and terrorist groups.

In a post shared on social media, Sowore appealed to Nigerians to gather in cities, towns, streets, and public squares nationwide to make their voices heard.

“Nigerians must come out on Monday and make their voices heard in every city, town, street, and public square across the country. The message must be loud and clear! #TinubuMustGo,” he wrote.

According to Sowore, the planned demonstration is aimed at drawing attention to the plight of citizens who remain in captivity as a result of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorist activities across different parts of the country.

The activist expressed concern over the fate of victims still being held by criminal groups and called on Nigerians to demand urgent and decisive action from the authorities.

Sowore has consistently criticized the government’s handling of insecurity and has repeatedly advocated for greater accountability from public officials on issues affecting the safety and welfare of citizens.

His latest call comes amid ongoing concerns over cases of abduction and violent attacks in several parts of the country, with many families still awaiting the safe return of their loved ones.

The planned protest is expected to bring together citizens and activists seeking stronger measures to address insecurity and secure the release of those still being held captive by armed groups.

AAC Directs Members to Join June 12 Protest Against Insecurity, Hunger

The African Action Congress (AAC) has directed its members, candidates, aspirants, and party structures across the country to actively participate in the planned nationwide protest scheduled for June 12, 2026.

In a directive issued by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and signed by the National Secretary, Comrade Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena, the AAC said the protest is aimed at drawing attention to worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and what it described as growing threats to democratic rights in Nigeria.

According to the party, the directive followed a resolution by the Take It Back Movement, which called for a peaceful nationwide action to demand urgent government intervention in addressing the country’s security and economic challenges.

The AAC expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and violent attacks on communities across the country. The party noted that recent abductions involving schoolchildren, teachers, and other citizens highlight the need for urgent action to protect lives and property.

The party also decried the country’s economic situation, citing rising inflation, unemployment, hunger, and the hardship being experienced by millions of Nigerians. It argued that ordinary citizens continue to bear the burden of economic policies while democratic freedoms are increasingly under pressure.

As part of its preparations, the AAC directed all state chapters and grassroots structures to commence immediate mobilization efforts within their respective states, local government areas, wards, campuses, workplaces, and communities.

The party further urged its members to engage in peaceful awareness campaigns and collaborate with civil society organizations, labour unions, student groups, market associations, professional bodies, and community organizations to ensure broad participation in the protest.

AAC also emphasized that all activities related to the protest must remain peaceful and conducted within the confines of the law.

The party called on its candidates at all levels to provide leadership and stand in solidarity with Nigerians demanding improved security, economic relief, and respect for democratic rights.

Describing June 12 as a symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, the AAC urged its members and supporters to join what it called a patriotic effort to demand a safer and more prosperous nation.

The nationwide protest is expected to take place across several states of the federation on June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

#BringBackOurChildren: Protests Rock Abuja Over Kidnapping of 47 Pupils and Teachers in Oyo State

Tensions flared in the nation's capital on Thursday morning as civil society groups, human rights activists, and aggrieved citizens took to the streets of Abuja, staging a massive #BringBackOurChildren demonstration. The action was triggered by the horrific May 15 mass abduction of 47 school pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has re-ignited national panic over school safety and escalating rural banditry.

Organized by the Take It Back (TIB) Movement and led by prominent activist Omoyele Sowore, the demonstrators gathered near Eagle Square and the Federal High Court around 10:00 AM. 

Brandishing heavily detailed placards reading "Education Not Abduction" and "Protect Our Children," the crowd fiercely condemned the federal government's slow response. The peaceful procession quickly turned into a direct political challenge against the presidency, with unified chants of "Tinubu Must Go" echoing through the streets.

The tragedy in Oriire hit a brutal breaking point after gunmen launched coordinated raids on three separate academic institutions, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and Community Grammar School in Esiele. An assistant headmaster was killed during the raid, and outrage reached a boiling point nationwide following the subsequent murder of an abducted mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, by his captors.

"Our governments have no interest in protecting you," Sowore stated while addressing journalists amid a heavy lockdown of security personnel. "Instead, they engage in frivolities. We are here to compel this administration to immediately rescue these children who are currently being used as human shields in the forest."

The protest heavily disrupted traffic corridors surrounding the Presidential Villa, where heavily armed police, military units, and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives erected multiple checkpoints to prevent demonstrators from marching on Aso Rock.

With public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State already grounded by an indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Abuja demonstration signals that the Oriire tragedy has transformed from a localized crisis into a national movement demanding sweeping accountability and immediate structural security reforms.

For a deeper dive into how this crisis has mobilized communities, watch this local coverage of Oyo Teachers and Citizens Protesting the Oriire Abductions, which shows the direct impact and local demands that catalyzed the broader solidarity actions seen today in Abuja.

June 12 Protest: Take-It-Back Movement Announces Convergence Points Across Nigeria

The Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement has announced designated convergence points for its planned nationwide protest scheduled for June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

The movement said the protest is aimed at drawing attention to worsening insecurity, economic hardship, rising poverty, and what it described as shrinking civic space in the country. Organisers have called on Nigerians to participate peacefully and demand accountability from those in government.

LAGOS STATE : Ikeja Underbridge, 7:30AM

AGBARA BUS STOP, ALONG BADAGRY EXPRESSWAY, Lagos.

ABUJA : EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA

RIVERS STATE : FEDERAL SECRETARIAT, PORT HARCOURT : 7:30AM

DELTA STATE : AMUKPE ROUNDABOUT, SAPELE |8:00AM8:00AM EFFURUN, ROUNDABOUT

EDO STATE : KINGS SQUARECRING ROAD), BENIN CITY | 7:00AM AUCHIUATTU JUNCTION). 

NIGER STATE : GIDAN MATASA BOSSO LOCUST, MINNA.

OYO STATE : CHALLENGE ROUNDABOUT, IBADAN

TAKIE JUNCTION, OGBOMOSO : 8AM

PLATEAU STATE : OLD AIRPORT ROUNDABOUT

YOBE STATE : 28,MAIDUGURI ROAD ROUNDABOUT BY FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, DAMATURU

TORONTO CANADA : SHERIDAN MALL, JANE & WILSON INTERSECTION, 1700 WILSON AVENUE, TORONTO, 4PM

DUTSE TOWNSHIP STADIUM, DUTSE, JIGAWA STATE

KWARA STATE : TANKE JUNCTION, ILORIN.

RIVERS STATE: Federal Secretariat Port Harcourt

EDO STATE: AUCHI, EDO NORTH

KANO STATE: Unguwa Uku, Zaria Road, Tarauni LG.

BENUE STATE : IBB SQUARE MAKURDI, BENUE STATE

As of the time of publication, convergence points for some states have not yet been announced by the Take-It-Back Movement. We will continue to monitor developments and update this report as more locations are officially confirmed.

Source: Take-It-Back Movement