Officers of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday morning, April 7, 2025, fired teargas at protesters who had gathered at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. The demonstration, which reportedly drew hundreds of participants, was dispersed abruptly as police moved in to prevent what they described as an unlawful assembly.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the crowd had begun gathering in the early hours of the morning, holding placards and chanting slogans related to political developments in the state. The protest was said to be peaceful at the outset, but tension quickly escalated when heavily armed police officers arrived on the scene.
The officers fired multiple rounds of teargas into the crowd, causing chaos as protesters scrambled for safety. Several individuals were seen coughing and struggling to breathe as the gas spread across the park and into surrounding streets. Some vendors and commuters in the area were also caught in the commotion.
According to sources on the ground, the protest was related to ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, though the exact cause or group behind the gathering has not been officially confirmed. In recent months, the state has witnessed a series of political disputes, including factional disagreements and public dissatisfaction with governance and security issues.
Police officers at the scene declined to speak to the press but warned onlookers and media personnel to vacate the area. Attempts to reach the Rivers State Police Command for an official comment were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.
However, a senior police officer, who requested anonymity, said the gathering did not have prior approval and posed a potential threat to public peace. He stated that the force acted within its mandate to prevent possible escalation and protect lives and property.
There are also unconfirmed reports that several protesters were arrested during the crackdown, though the number and identity of those detained remain unclear. Human rights groups have already begun calling for the immediate release of any individuals taken into custody and have condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
Traffic around Isaac Boro Park was heavily disrupted, with many commuters forced to take alternate routes to avoid the area. Some nearby businesses closed temporarily due to fears of further unrest, while ambulances were seen arriving to treat people affected by the teargas.
This latest incident adds to the growing concerns over the handling of civil protests in Nigeria. Critics have frequently accused security agencies of using excessive force against citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly. Legal experts argue that the right to protest is constitutionally protected and that authorities should prioritize dialogue over force.
The Rivers State Government has not issued an official statement in response to the incident. Meanwhile, social media platforms are flooded with videos and images of the scene, showing crowds scattering as white clouds of teargas filled the air.
As tensions remain high, activists and community leaders have urged the state government and police authorities to engage with concerned citizens and address the root causes of discontent rather than resorting to violent dispersal tactics.
It remains to be seen whether the police will provide a full account of the events at Isaac Boro Park or whether further protests will follow in the coming days. For now, normalcy is gradually returning to the area, though the atmosphere remains tense.
