Security was significantly reinforced around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, led a protest demanding the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
A combined team of anti-riot police officers, military personnel, and other security agencies mounted checkpoints around the State House and the Three-Arms Zone, restricting access to only individuals with valid State House identification.
Security operatives were stationed at major entry points from as early as 8 a.m., conducting thorough vehicle inspections and turning back unauthorised persons. The heightened security presence led to traffic congestion in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The development followed Sowore’s earlier warning to President Bola Tinubu, in which he vowed to lead a march to the Presidential Villa if the abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State were not rescued.
“We’ll march to Aso Villa on Thursday if abducted Oyo pupils are not rescued.”
Sowore had called on the Federal Government to secure the release of the 46 teachers and pupils kidnapped on May 15 from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The former presidential candidate criticised the Tinubu administration over what he described as its failure to tackle growing insecurity across the country.
“You can’t claim to be president, not doing your job.”
According to Sowore, the government has not done enough to protect citizens amid the increasing wave of kidnappings and violent attacks nationwide.
The abduction of the Oyo schoolchildren has generated widespread concern, prompting nationwide protests by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Sowore joined residents and teachers who have continued to demand urgent government intervention.
“This is not about hype or social media grandstanding. This is about the life of children,” Sowore said while defending the demonstration against claims that it was politically motivated.
The protest comes amid rising public frustration over insecurity, with many Nigerians calling for stronger measures to safeguard schools and communities.
For the second time, protesters under the banner of the AAC and allied groups marched through major parts of Abuja, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of abducted pupils and teachers.
The demonstrators moved from Eagle Square through key roads including Shehu Shagari Way, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, and Aminu Kano Way, carrying placards with messages such as:
“Release our children and teachers unconditionally,”
“Teachers deserve security, not fear,”
“End the reign of fear in our schools,”
“Tinubu, rescue the children,” and
“School should be a sanctuary, not a crime scene.”
Addressing the protesters, Sowore challenged President Tinubu to either ensure the safe return of the victims or take responsibility for failing to protect Nigerians.
“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. We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect Nigerians to do their work.”
He also criticised the large deployment of security personnel to monitor the protest, arguing that similar resources should be directed toward protecting schools and communities.
“Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.”
The demonstration was sparked by the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, where about 39 students and seven teachers were abducted from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
On the same day, another 42 pupils were reportedly kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba, Borno State.
In response to the Oyo incident, the Federal Government recently dispatched a high-level delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to the affected communities. The delegation also included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff.
President Tinubu has additionally approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue unit to strengthen efforts aimed at tackling kidnappings and improving security in vulnerable areas.
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