ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A heavy security presence was observed around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, with anti-riot police taking positions at major access points amid a planned protest by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Security operatives, particularly anti-riot policemen, were deployed in large numbers around the main entrance of the Presidential Villa, where officers dressed in full riot gear formed a protective cordon and restricted access to the seat of government.
Checks showed that only individuals with valid State House identification tags were allowed into the premises, while several others attempting to gain entry were turned back by security personnel.
The heightened security follows Sowore’s threat to lead a protest march to Aso Rock if the abducted schoolchildren from Oyo and Borno states are not rescued.
The activist had announced on Wednesday that the leadership of the AAC and its allied Take It Back Movement would stage a march from Eagle Square to the Presidential Villa from 8 a.m. on Thursday under the banner #OccupyAsoRock.
According to him, the protest is aimed at demanding the immediate rescue and release of schoolchildren and other Nigerians abducted across the country.
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He also called on President Bola Tinubu to either ensure the safe return of the kidnapped children or step down for failing to fulfil the government’s primary responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.
Sowore first issued the warning during a protest held earlier in the week in the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing supporters, he criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, saying, “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 also challenged security personnel assigned to protect politicians, reminding them that their own children could become victims if schools continue to be targets of kidnappers.
The protest stems from public outrage over the May 15, 2026 abductions of about 39 students and seven teachers from three schools, 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 42 pupils were reportedly abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba, Borno State.
In response to the Oyo abductions, the Federal Government on Sunday dispatched a high-level delegation led by Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, to the affected communities.
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 cooperation from local communities, assuring residents that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies would be employed in the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers commenced an indefinite strike in Oyo State on June 1 in protest over the abductions.
Schools across the state remain shut, while solidarity rallies were held in several state capitals on June 2.