There was a heavy security presence around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as anti-riot police cordoned off major access routes leading to the seat of power.
The deployment, observed by our correspondent, saw armed operatives in full riot gear stationed at the main gates of the State House, effectively restricting movement into the premises.
Security sources and eyewitness accounts indicated that the heightened presence followed a planned protest march to the Villa by human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore had declared his intention to lead demonstrators to Aso Rock under the hashtag #OccupyAsoRock, insisting the protest was aimed at demanding urgent government action over the rising wave of school abductions across the country.
Access to the Villa was strictly controlled, with only individuals bearing official State House identification tags allowed entry, while others were turned back by security operatives.
On Wednesday, Sowore announced that members of the AAC and the Take It Back Movement would converge at Eagle Square in Abuja at about 8:00 a.m. on Thursday before marching to the Presidential Villa.
He said the demonstration was to press for the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and other victims recently kidnapped in various parts of the country. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure their safe return or resign over what he described as a failure in his constitutional duty to protect lives and property.
The activist had earlier issued similar threats during a protest in the Federal Capital Territory earlier in the week.
According to him, it was unacceptable for authorities to prioritise protection of political office holders while insecurity persists in schools nationwide.
“You cannot claim to be president of Nigeria and refuse to do the job of Commander-in-Chief,” Sowore was quoted as saying.
He added that security operatives deployed to block protesters could be better used to secure schools and protect vulnerable communities.
Sowore further warned that the persistent kidnappings could eventually affect even the families of security personnel and public officials.
The planned protest comes in the wake of the May 15, 2026 mass abductions in Oyo and Borno States, where dozens of students and teachers were taken from multiple schools in coordinated attacks.
In response, the Federal Government had dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff to affected communities.
The government subsequently approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a special rescue unit, while also promising a combined kinetic and non-kinetic approach to tackle insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State commenced an indefinite strike on June 1, while solidarity protests have spread to other parts of the country.
Security remained visibly tight around the Presidential Villa as of press time, with operatives maintaining barricades at key entry points.
0 Comments