The Presidential Villa precinct in Abuja was placed under heavy security on Thursday as authorities restricted access to residents, government workers and individuals with official engagements within the State House area.

The heightened security measures followed threats of a protest over the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State.

A combined team of military personnel, police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) established security checkpoints along major routes leading to the Presidential Villa, including access roads from the Federal Secretariat, Supreme Court and Asokoro areas.

Security operatives conducted thorough screening of motorists and pedestrians, demanding identification and verification of their destinations before granting entry. Individuals without legitimate business within the State House precinct were turned back and directed to alternative routes.

The restrictions caused disruptions to traffic movement around parts of the Three Arms Zone and adjoining roads as security agencies intensified surveillance across strategic locations.

The security build-up comes amid plans by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to lead a protest to the Presidential Villa if pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are not rescued.

Sowore had joined demonstrators in the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, where protesters demanded urgent action from the government to secure the release of the victims kidnapped on May 15.

During the demonstration, he criticised the government’s response to insecurity and vowed to continue public protests until the abductees regain their freedom.

According to him, protesters would march to the Presidential Villa if the victims remained in captivity, insisting that the federal government must fulfil its responsibility of protecting citizens and ensuring national security.

As of the time of filing this report, security personnel remained deployed across key entry points to the Presidential Villa, while access restrictions continued to be strictly enforced.

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Chaos followed when tear gas was fired into the crowd, forcing protesters to flee in different directions.

The demonstration was organized by the Take-It-Back Movement and several civil society groups. It drew dozens of concerned Nigerians to the streets of the Federal Capital Territory.

Protesters came prepared with placards carrying messages like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe.” They marched to voice their anger over worsening national conditions.

At the core of their protest were three key issues. First, they called out the misuse of the Cybercrime Act. Second, they raised concerns over economic hardship. Third, they demanded answers over the political crisis in Rivers State.

The crowd described their actions as a response to what they see as rising authoritarianism in the country.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore joined the protest in solidarity. He stood with the demonstrators and echoed the need for urgent change.

Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the movement, had announced the protest earlier. He said it was meant to demand economic relief and highlight the growing insecurity in the country.

As of the time of this report, no arrests or injuries had been recorded. Still, the atmosphere remained tense as police officers stayed on high alert in the area.

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