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Lastest News Nigeria, Politics, Business, Sport, Interview
By Babatunji Wusu| Security operatives strengthened their presence around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday following plans by activist Omoyele Sowore to lead a protest to the seat of government over the continued abduction of schoolchildren in parts of the country.
A large number of anti-riot police officers were stationed at the main entrance to the Presidential Villa, with security personnel maintaining a tight cordon around the area. Access to the complex was limited to individuals with valid State House identification, while others were turned away.
The heightened security followed an announcement by Omoyele Sowore, leader of the Take It Back Movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), that he would lead a march from Eagle Square to the Presidential Villa under the hashtag #OccupyAsoRock.
According to Sowore, the protest aimed to demand the immediate rescue and release of abducted schoolchildren and other kidnapping victims across Nigeria. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the safe return of the children or step down for failing to protect citizens.
“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 said.
The planned demonstration was triggered by the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states on May 15, 2026. The incidents sparked nationwide concern and led to an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State.
In response, the Federal Government recently deployed a high-level delegation to affected communities and approved additional security measures, including the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue team to support efforts to secure the victims’ release.
