The Ondo State Police have been accused of collaborating with thugs to attack peaceful pro-democracy protesters in the state.

 

The allegation was made by Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, on Thursday, June 12—Democracy Day—as demonstrations against bad governance, economic hardship, and other national issues swept across several states.

 

 

“We just witnessed a disturbing incident here in Ondo State—thugs and policemen working together to attack pro-democracy activists during a peaceful protest. We saw them with our own eyes. The police were clearly collaborating with the thugs as they beat up protesters. It was very, very sad,” Sowore said in a video.

 

“I hope the world is watching this. Today is supposed to be June 12—Democracy Day—a day meant for peaceful protest and reflection. Yet, thugs showed up alongside the police to violently suppress citizens exercising their democratic rights.

 

“This happened despite the fact that the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr. Winfred Afolabi, was officially informed in advance about the protest. He refused to provide protection.

 

“We saw the thugs shouting and attacking people. They tried to attack me too. They had clearly marked me out, but we left the scene so we could report this to the world. It’s truly pathetic that in a country where people fought and died for democracy, thugs have now taken over the democratic space, with the active support of the Nigerian Police.Nigerian cultural tours

 

“This is happening in Ondo State, and we will keep moving around to monitor the situation and ensure that anyone who is arrested or attacked today receives support and justice.

 

“The protest in Akure started peacefully, but was violently disrupted by thugs brought in by the state government, working hand-in-hand with the police.

 

“We even captured it live—thugs shouting that is Sowore (Sowore niyen!) as they tried to attack me. They had clearly singled me out.”

 

“We will not be silenced. Today is Democracy Day, and I’m in Akure, Ondo State, where state-sponsored thugs and police are attacking peaceful protesters. Thank you to everyone standing in solidarity. We will keep pushing forward,” he added.

 

On Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, had formally requested the intervention of the Ondo State Police Command to ensure the safety and protection of peaceful protesters during the upcoming June 12 nationwide demonstration scheduled to take place in Akure.

 

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Temokun, who is the legal counsel for the Take It Back Movement, urged the police to deploy officers to provide security at the protest venue and along the procession route.

 

He said the protest would raise public awareness of citizens’ rights to democratic participation and to speak out against bad governance.

 

Highlighting growing concerns that political agitators might attempt to disrupt the peaceful assembly, Temokun noted that the presence of Sowore, a prominent activist and convener of the Take It Back Movement, had raised fears of possible attempts by opponents to hijack the protest.

 

He, therefore, requested the presence of police officers to escort the protesters and shield the participants from any form of undue harassment or provocation.

 

The statement read, “We write as the legal representatives and solicitors to Take It Back Movement, under the leadership of Omoyele Sowore, a globally renowned human rights activist and presidential candidate under the aegis of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the last general election.

 

“We hereby notify your office of the Nationwide Social Justice Protest through peaceful assembly to be organised by our clients and scheduled to hold on the 12th day of June, 2025, in commemoration of the Democracy Day celebration.

 

“In Akure, the campaign and peaceful assembly will be convened at Cathedral Junction, with takeoff scheduled for 8:00 AM.”

 

“However, in light of growing ‘concerns -that some persons with mischievous political motives may attempt to hijack the peaceful assembly to cause disruption, especially owing to the profile of Omoyele Sowore, being an important dignitary to be in Ondo State to address the people, we hereby humbly request the presence of your officers to escort the march from any form of undue harassment or provocation,” he added.

 

“This request is made in the interest of public peace, safety and the lawful exercise of democratic freedoms.”

 

The protest comes amid growing public discontent over rising food prices, increasing unemployment, and persistent insecurity across the country, particularly in the North and parts of the South.

 

June 12, which commemorates Nigeria’s Democracy Day, has become a rallying date for civic demonstrations in recent years.