Security Operatives Restrict Access to Presidential Villa Ahead of Planned Protest

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

On Thursday, armed security forces were heavily present at the entrances to the Presidential Villa, the seat of government. Personnel from the Army, Police and Department of State Services (DSS) limited access to residents and individuals with official business amid concerns about a planned protest over the recent abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State.

A joint team of military personnel cordoned off the government complex, turning back motorists and pedestrians who could not demonstrate legitimate reasons for entering the area. The tightened security affected the two main access routes to the State House: the road from the Federal Secretariat and Supreme Court axis, and the route from the Asokoro end, where armed guards were deployed in large numbers from as early as 7 am.

Entry was restricted to residents of the Presidential Villa community, government officials, workers and other persons with verifiable engagements within the State House and adjoining offices. At the various checkpoints, security operatives conducted thorough checks, demanding identification and explanations of destinations before allowing passage.

Many motorists without official business were denied entry and directed to alternative routes, causing disruptions to vehicular movement around parts of the Three Arms Zone and adjoining roads.

The heightened security may be linked to a threat by rights activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC) to lead a protest march to the Presidential Villa if the abducted children and teachers were not rescued by Thursday. He declared that protesters would march to the Presidential Villa on Thursday if the abducted children remained in captivity. His words: “On Thursday, we are going to Aso Rock Villa if the children are not rescued. You cannot claim to be president of Nigeria and refuse to do the job of the commander of the armed forces.”