Security operatives on Thursday barricaded major roads leading to the Presidential Villa and Eagle Square in Abuja ahead of a planned protest demanding the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The security deployment involved personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The protest was organised by the Take-It-Back Movement, a civil society group associated with activist and former presidential candidate
Omoyele Sowore
The heavy security presence caused significant traffic congestion around Eagle Square and adjoining routes leading toward Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power.
Many commuters, especially civil servants heading to the Federal Secretariat, were reportedly forced to walk considerable distances to their offices after roads were closed to vehicular traffic.
As of the time the report was filed, no protesters had gathered at Eagle Square.
The planned protest follows earlier demonstrations in Ibadan, where teachers, labour groups, and civil society organisations called on authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims.
- The abductions occurred on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in
Oriire Local Government Area
Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota - Community Grammar School, Esiele
- LA Primary School, Ogbomoso
- According to reports, at least 45 schoolchildren and teachers were abducted during the attacks. The assailants also killed an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist during the incident.
National outrage intensified after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers.
https://x.com/MilitarynewsngC/status/2062088074058780920
The Abuja protest aims to increase pressure on authorities to rescue the victims and address growing concerns over school safety and kidnapping in parts of Nigeria.
The road closures around key government locations highlight the sensitivity of the planned demonstration and the government’s efforts to manage security around the nation’s seat of power.
