Security Officers Block Public Access to Villa, Permit Only Workers and Residents

• Police, DSS, soldiers mount sentry at key entry points

On Thursday, a heavy contingent of armed security officers was stationed at the main entry points to the presidential villa in Abuja.

Officers from the army, police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) limited access to the villa to residents and individuals with official business in the area. The restriction followed concerns about a planned protest over the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

A joint military and police team cordoned off the seat of power, turning back motorists and pedestrians who could not provide a legitimate reason for entering.

The heightened security affected the two primary access routes to State House: the road from the Federal Secretariat and Supreme Court axis, and the route from the Asokoro end. Armed personnel were deployed in large numbers from as early as 7 am on Thursday.

Entry was strictly limited to residents of the presidential villa community, government officials, workers, and other persons with verifiable engagements within State House and adjacent offices.

Security staff at the checkpoints 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 adjacent roads.

The increased security was linked to a threat by rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who warned that he would lead a protest march to the presidential villa if the abducted schoolchildren and teachers were not rescued by Thursday.

Sowore declared, “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.”