Security was heightened around the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as heavily armed anti-riot police officers were deployed to key access points ahead of a planned protest organised by human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The increased security presence followed Sowore’s threat to lead a march to the Presidential Villa under the #OccupyAsoRock campaign if authorities failed to secure the release of abducted pupils, students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
Security operatives were positioned at strategic locations around the State House, with officers in full riot gear maintaining a strong presence at the main entrance. Access to the Presidential Villa was also restricted, as only individuals with valid State House identification were allowed entry, while others were turned back by security personnel.
Sowore had announced on Wednesday that members of the AAC and its affiliate, the Take It Back Movement, would stage a protest march from Eagle Square to Aso Rock beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
According to him, the demonstration is intended to draw national attention to the growing wave of kidnappings affecting schools and communities across Nigeria, particularly the continued captivity of abducted pupils and teachers.
Speaking ahead of the protest, Sowore criticised the Federal Government’s response to insecurity and urged authorities to take more decisive action to protect citizens.
“You cannot claim to be president of Nigeria and refuse to perform the responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief. We are simply demanding that elected leaders carry out their duty of protecting Nigerians,” he said.
He further argued that security personnel deployed to stop peaceful protests could be better utilised in safeguarding schools and vulnerable communities.
“It would be more beneficial if the officers being deployed to prevent this march were assigned to protect our schools from kidnappers,” he added.
Sowore also appealed directly to members of the security agencies, reminding them that their own families are equally exposed to the growing insecurity in the country.
“Your children attend schools too. If schools continue to become targets for kidnappers, no family will be completely safe,” he stated.
The planned protest comes amid widespread public outrage over the recent abductions of pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
On May 15, gunmen reportedly kidnapped about 39 students and seven teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
On the same day, another 42 pupils were reportedly abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
In response to the Oyo abduction, the Federal Government dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to visit the affected communities.
The delegation included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, who engaged local stakeholders and assessed the security situation.
During the visit, President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue unit to support efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims.
The government also called for greater cooperation from local communities and assured Nigerians that both military and non-military strategies were being employed to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.
As tension continues to mount over the incidents, the planned protest is expected to increase pressure on authorities to intensify rescue efforts and address the broader security challenges facing the country.
