Security was tightened around the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as anti-riot police officers took positions at major access routes ahead of a planned protest led by human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The increased security presence followed Sowore’s threat to march to Aso Rock under the #OccupyAsoRock campaign if abducted schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states were not rescued.
Security operatives were seen stationed at the main entrance of the State House, with officers in full riot gear forming a cordon around the gates.
Access to the Presidential Villa was restricted to individuals with valid State House identification, while others attempting to approach the premises were turned back.
Sowore had announced on Wednesday that members of the AAC and its affiliated Take It Back Movement would march from Eagle Square to the Presidential Villa from 8 a.m. on Thursday.
The protest is aimed at drawing attention to the continued captivity of abducted pupils, students and teachers across parts of the country.
Speaking ahead of the planned march, Sowore criticised the government’s handling of insecurity and called for urgent action.
He said: “You cannot claim to be president of Nigeria and then refuse to do the job of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. We are not here to beg anybody.
“We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect Nigerians to do their work.
“It would have been great if the number of policemen preventing this march could instead protect our schools.”
The activist also appealed directly to security personnel, urging them to consider the vulnerability of their own families to insecurity.
He said: “Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.”
The planned protest comes amid growing public concern over the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
On May 15, armed men reportedly abducted 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 of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
On the same day, another group of 42 pupils was reportedly kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
In response to the Oyo incident, the Federal Government dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the affected communities.
The delegation included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff.
During the visit, President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue unit to strengthen ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims.
The government also appealed for community cooperation and said both kinetic and non-kinetic measures were being deployed in rescue operations.
