Security was reinforced on Thursday, June 4 at the entrance and exit gates of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as a planned protest over the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Oyo State got underway in the capital.
Security operatives, including personnel of the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military, mounted checkpoints and roadblocks around the Villa, carrying out strict screening of all entrants.
State House staff were required to present valid identity cards before being allowed into the complex, although no incidents of harassment were reported.
By around 8:00 a.m., vehicles approaching the Villa from different entry points were subjected to strict checks, with a heavy security presence deployed along routes from the Asokoro and Federal Secretariat axes.
The measures led to significant traffic disruption across parts of Abuja as security agencies tightened control while the protest march progressed in the capital.
The demonstration comes after an ultimatum issued by Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), demanding urgent action for the rescue of kidnapped pupils in Oyo State.
Sowore is currently leading a march at the Presidential Villa. On Wednesday, he warned the government to secure the release of about 46 pupils and teachers abducted on May 15 from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, or the protest will take place.
The activist criticized the Federal Government for what he described as negligence in handling rising insecurity, insisting that leadership must be held accountable for protecting citizens.
