Security was heightened around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, with anti-riot police officers deployed to key access routes and the main entrance of the State House amid a planned protest led by human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
The increased security presence followed Sowore’s announcement that he would lead members of the AAC and the Take It Back Movement on a march to the Presidential Villa if abducted schoolchildren from Oyo and Borno states were not rescued.
A correspondent who visited the area observed heavily armed anti-riot police officers stationed at the Villa’s main gate, with personnel in full riot gear forming a security cordon around the entrance.
Access to the State House was restricted to individuals with valid identification, while security operatives turned back unauthorised persons attempting to approach the premises.
On Wednesday, Sowore announced that the protest would commence from Eagle Square in Abuja at 8 a.m. on Thursday under the hashtag #OccupyAsoRock.
According to him, the demonstration was aimed at demanding the immediate rescue and release of schoolchildren and other victims kidnapped across the country.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safe return of the abductees or step down from office, arguing that the government had failed in its constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
Sowore first issued the ultimatum during a protest in the Federal Capital Territory earlier in the week.
“You cannot claim to be the President of Nigeria and refuse to perform the duties of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.
“We are simply asking those elected to protect Nigerians to do their jobs. It would be better if the number of policemen deployed to stop this protest were instead protecting our schools.”
He also urged security personnel to consider the broader implications of insecurity.
“Your children attend schools too. If schools become centres of kidnapping, one day your children could also become victims,” he said.
The planned protest is linked to the abduction of students and teachers during coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states on May 15, 2026.
In Oyo State, gunmen reportedly abducted about 39 students and seven teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
On the same day, another group of gunmen reportedly kidnapped 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
In response to the attacks, the Federal Government on Sunday dispatched a high-level delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to affected communities in Oyo State.
The delegation 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 the deployment of a specialised rescue unit to support ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims.
The government also appealed for community cooperation, assuring residents that rescue operations would involve both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers commenced an indefinite strike in Oyo State on June 1 over the abductions, while solidarity rallies were held across several state capitals on June 2.
