HEAVY security was deployed around the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday as human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, led protesters toward the seat of power over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
News Point Nigeria reports that the protest, organised under the banner of the AAC and its affiliated Take It Back Movement, came amid growing public outrage over the May 15, 2026 kidnappings of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states. Protesters demanded the immediate rescue of all victims and called on President Bola Tinubu to fulfil what they described as the government’s fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property.
Security presence was significantly reinforced around the access routes to the Presidential Villa, with anti-riot policemen cordoning off the main gates of the State House as early as Thursday morning.
This newspaper gathered that the heightened security followed Sowore’s declaration that he would personally lead protesters to Aso Rock if the abducted schoolchildren were not rescued.
A correspondent at the scene observed a heavy deployment of anti-riot police officers stationed at the Villa’s main entrance. The officers, dressed in full riot gear, formed a protective cordon around the gates while access to the premises was restricted strictly to persons with valid State House identification tags.
Several individuals without the required clearance were reportedly turned back by security personnel attempting to enforce the restrictions.
The planned protest had been announced by Sowore on Wednesday when he revealed that members of the AAC and the Take It Back Movement would converge at Eagle Square in Abuja before marching to the Presidential Villa beginning from 8:00 a.m. on Thursday under the hashtag #OccupyAsoRock.
According to him, the protest was aimed at demanding the immediate release of schoolchildren and other victims kidnapped across Nigeria.
He also urged President Tinubu to ensure the safe return of the abducted children or consider resigning from office if he could not discharge what he described as the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding Nigerians.
Sowore had earlier issued the warning during a protest held in the Federal Capital Territory earlier in the week.
“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,” he said.
“We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect Nigerians to do their work. It would have been great if the number of policemen preventing this march could instead protect our schools.”
The activist also directed strong words at security personnel assigned to protect public officials and politicians.
“Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped,” he warned.
The protest is specifically linked to the abduction that occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men reportedly kidnapped about 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The affected institutions were identified as Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
On the same day, another mass abduction occurred in Borno State when 42 pupils were reportedly taken from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
The incidents triggered nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools across the country.
Amid mounting pressure, the Federal Government moved to address the crisis.
On Sunday, President Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the affected communities in Oyo State.
The delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and included the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff.
During the visit, the President approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue unit to support efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The administration also appealed for cooperation from local communities and assured residents that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies would be deployed in the rescue operation.
Despite those assurances, public frustration has continued to grow over the prolonged captivity of the victims, prompting civil society groups and activists to intensify pressure on the government.
Thursday’s march to the Presidential Villa marked the latest effort by Sowore and his supporters to draw national attention to the plight of the abducted schoolchildren and to demand urgent action from the Federal Government.