Security agencies have tightened access to the Presidential Villa and its surrounding precincts in Abuja, allowing only residents and individuals with official engagements into the area amid concerns over a planned protest linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Armed personnel drawn from the military, the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) took positions at strategic points leading to the seat of power, restricting vehicular and pedestrian movement around the Three Arms Zone.
The security measures were particularly visible along the Federal Secretariat-Supreme Court route and the Asokoro axis, where several checkpoints were mounted from the early hours of yesterday.
Visitors seeking access to the area were subjected to rigorous checks, with security operatives demanding identification and details of their destinations before allowing entry.
Motorists without official business around the State House were turned back and advised to use alternative routes, leading to traffic disruptions in parts of the area.
The heightened security followed threats by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to lead demonstrators to the Presidential Villa if the schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oriire local government area of Oyo State remained in captivity.
Sowore had joined protesters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday to demand the release of the victims, who were abducted on May 15.
Addressing the demonstrators, the activist accused the government of failing to adequately tackle insecurity and insisted that the campaign would continue until the abductees regained their freedom.
“We are not begging anybody. We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect to do their work,” he said.
He also vowed to sustain the demonstrations, saying, “This is just the beginning. We will not go anywhere.”
Earlier, Sowore had declared that the protesters would march to the Presidential Villa yesterday should the abducted pupils and teachers remain in captivity.
“On Thursday, we are going to Aso Rock Villa if the children are not rescued. You cannot claim to be president of Nigeria and refuse to do the job of the commander of the armed forces,” he said.