Security was tightened around the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as anti-riot police officers took positions at key access points leading to the seat of government.
The increased security presence comes amid plans by human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to lead a protest march to the Presidential Villa over the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.
A visit to the area showed heavily armed anti-riot policemen stationed at the main entrance of the State House, with officers forming a security cordon around the gates. Entry into the complex was limited to individuals with valid State House identification, while others were denied access.
Sowore had announced on Wednesday that the leadership of the AAC and its affiliated Take It Back Movement would embark on a march from Eagle Square to the Presidential Villa under the hashtag #OccupyAsoRock.
According to him, the protest was aimed at demanding the immediate rescue and release of schoolchildren and other kidnap victims across the country. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safe return of the abducted children or step down over what he described as a failure to fulfil the government’s responsibility of protecting citizens.
Speaking earlier during a protest in the Federal Capital Territory, Sowore criticised the government’s handling of insecurity.
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.”
He further appealed directly to security personnel, saying, “Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.”
The planned demonstration is linked to the abduction of about 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026.
On the same day, another group of 42 pupils was reportedly abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, raising fresh concerns over the safety of schools across the country.
In response to the incidents, the Federal Government last Sunday dispatched a delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to the affected communities in Oyo State. The team included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff.
During the visit, President 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 victims.
The government also appealed for the cooperation of local communities, assuring that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies would be deployed in the rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers commenced an indefinite strike in Oyo State on June 1 over the abduction, while solidarity protests were held across several state capitals on June 2.