Security operatives on Thursday mounted a heavy presence around the Presidential Villa in Abuja, restricting access to residents, government officials and persons with verified official engagements amid a planned protest over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
Personnel of the Army, Police and Department of State Services (DSS) were deployed to major entry points leading to the seat of government, turning back motorists and pedestrians unable to provide legitimate reasons for entering the area.
The heightened security measures affected the two major routes into the Presidential Villa — the Federal Secretariat and Supreme Court axis as well as the Asokoro approach — where armed operatives were stationed from the early hours of the day.
Visitors seeking access to the area were subjected to rigorous screening, with security personnel demanding identification and details of their destinations before granting entry.
Several motorists without official business within the Presidential Villa precincts were denied access and redirected to alternative routes, causing disruptions around parts of the Three Arms Zone and adjoining roads.
The security deployment was linked to a planned protest by rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who had threatened to lead a march to the Presidential Villa if the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State were not rescued by Thursday.
The protest threat followed growing public concern over the fate of the abductees, who were kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Sowore had declared that demonstrators would converge on the Presidential Villa to demand urgent government action if the victims remained in captivity.
“You cannot claim to be President of Nigeria and refuse to do the job of the Commander-in-Chief,” he said while announcing the planned protest.
The Federal Government has yet to issue an official statement on the security measures, but authorities maintained a visible presence around the Presidential Villa throughout the day.
Deji Elumoye, Abuja
