Security operatives on Thursday tightened surveillance around the Presidential Villa in Abuja amid plans by activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to lead a protest to the seat of power over the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren.
A large contingent of anti-riot police officers was deployed to strategic points leading to the State House, with security personnel maintaining a strong presence at the main entrance to the Villa.
Checks by our correspondent showed that only individuals with valid State House identification were granted access to the premises, while others were turned away by security officials stationed at the gates.
The heightened security follows Sowore’s declaration that he would spearhead a march to the Presidential Villa if authorities failed to secure the release of pupils and teachers kidnapped in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
The former presidential candidate had announced that members of the AAC and the Take It Back Movement would converge at Eagle Square before proceeding to Aso Rock under the banner of the #OccupyAsoRock campaign.
According to him, the demonstration is intended to pressure the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victims and addressing the worsening insecurity across the country.
Sowore had earlier criticised the government’s handling of the abductions, insisting that safeguarding citizens remains one of the primary responsibilities of any administration.
He also questioned the heavy deployment of security personnel to prevent protests, arguing that similar resources should be channelled toward protecting schools and vulnerable communities from criminal attacks.
The planned protest is linked to the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15. On the same day, another group of schoolchildren was reportedly kidnapped in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incidents sparked widespread outrage, with education stakeholders and civil society groups demanding urgent action from the authorities.
In response to the security challenge, the Federal Government recently dispatched a delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the affected communities in Oyo State.
The delegation also 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 team to support efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims.
Government officials have also appealed for cooperation from local communities, assuring that both military and non-military strategies are being employed to resolve the crisis.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers commenced an indefinite strike in Oyo State on June 1 in protest against the insecurity, leading to the closure of public schools across the state.
The union also organised solidarity demonstrations in several state capitals to draw attention to the plight of the abducted pupils and teachers.