Tensions escalated in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, as police unleashed teargas on protesters gathered at Isaac Boro Park. The young demonstrators, undeterred by prior warnings from law enforcement, asserted their rights, declaring, “Nobody can tell us where not to gather; we are Rivers people.”
The situation deteriorated further as police pursued the protesters, resorting to physical force against some, including journalists covering the event. The group had previously notified the Rivers State Police Command of their plans in a letter dated April 3, 2025, insisting their demonstration was lawful.
Speaking to reporters earlier, one protester emphasized the peaceful nature of their action, stating, “We are not here for violence.” He outlined their demands, which included the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “As it stands, we have no government,” he explained. “This administration in Rivers State feels foreign to us—it’s unconstitutional. We’re here to demand that our governor returns to office and leads us properly. Our social contract is with him, not a sole administrator. This is democracy.”