Security was reinforced around access routes to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Thursday as anti-riot policemen cordoned off the main gates of the State House ahead of a planned protest by activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.

The increased security presence followed Sowore’s declaration that he would lead protesters to the Presidential Villa if schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states were not rescued.

A correspondent observed a heavy deployment of anti-riot police officers at the Villa’s main entrance, with personnel in full riot gear stationed around the gates. Access to the premises was restricted to individuals with valid State House identification tags, while others attempting to approach the area were turned back by security operatives.

On Wednesday, Sowore announced that the leadership of the AAC and its affiliated Take It Back Movement would stage a protest march from Eagle Square in Abuja to the Presidential Villa beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday under the hashtag #OccupyAsoRock.

According to him, the protest 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 either ensure the safe return of the abducted children or resign from office, arguing that the government had failed in its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.

Sowore had earlier issued the warning during a demonstration in the Federal Capital Territory earlier this week.

Speaking on the planned march, he criticised the government’s handling of the abductions and questioned the deployment of security personnel to monitor protests instead of protecting schools.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Addressing security personnel, Sowore added, “Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.”

The protest is linked to the May 15, 2026 abduction 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 abduction occurred in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where 42 pupils were reportedly taken from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School.

In response to the incidents, the Federal Government on Sunday dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to the 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 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 measures would be deployed in ongoing rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the crisis has triggered reactions from the education sector. The Nigeria Union of Teachers commenced an indefinite strike in Oyo State on June 1, leading to the closure of schools across the state. The union also organised solidarity rallies in state capitals across the country on June 2 to press for the safe return of the abducted pupils and improved security for schools. (Guardian)

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