Soldiers, DSS, Police and Others Block Protesters from Approaching National Assembly

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — A heavy security presence on Thursday prevented protesters from reaching the National Assembly Complex. Military personnel, police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) blocked all major access roads to the Three Arms Zone in Abuja.

The lockdown also affected nearby institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Presidential Villa. Movement was restricted along key routes from NEXIM Bank through the Federal Secretariat axis, Bullet House, and areas leading from the Police Headquarters.

The operation began at 7 a.m., causing significant traffic congestion and forcing many workers heading to the Federal Secretariat and National Assembly to walk long distances to their offices.

Only limited vehicular movement was allowed into the National Assembly Complex, as security operatives maintained strict control of entry points.

The deployment followed planned protests by the Take‑It‑Back Movement, a civil society organisation led by activist and 2027 African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who has been calling attention to rising insecurity in the country.

The group also demanded the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Despite these calls, protesters were unable to reach the National Assembly Complex because security operatives maintained a tight perimeter around the Three Arms Zone.

At the time of filing this report, the protesters remained blocked from accessing the area due to the heavy security blockade.

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