Hundreds of youths opposed to the #October1 protest gathered in Port Harcourt on Tuesday morning, starting at around 8 am near the Federal Secretariat and Pleasure Park. These locations were previously used during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August. The anti-protesters occupied the area along Aba Road, while police and security personnel monitored the situation, with reports of over 200 youths present by 10 am.

One unnamed youth expressed their intent, stating, “We are not protesters. We are waiting for those who want to protest so that we can stop them.” At Pleasure Park, about fifty anti-protesters set up canopies and warned reporters against taking their pictures.

Additionally, five youths were arrested near the Federal Secretariat, but details about their identities or alleged offenses were not immediately available. As more youths continued to arrive, there were no signs of genuine protesters yet.

Last Saturday, some organizers of the October 1 Independence Day Protest under the ‘Take It Back Movement’ emphasized their commitment to proceed with the demonstration. One organizer, Andy Akpotive, called for mass participation, urging citizens to voice their discontent with bad governance.

In a statement on Monday midnight, the Rivers State Police Command warned against any protests that might lead to unrest. The spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, assured that security personnel had been deployed to strategic locations to maintain peace and order. She emphasized that these measures were not intended to intimidate but to safeguard lives and property, while also advising parents to counsel their children against participating in any protests.