Security operatives seal off Aso Rock, Eagle Square ahead of protest over abducted Oyo schoolchildren

Security operatives on Thursday mounted roadblocks around key locations in Abuja, including routes leading to the Presidential Villa and Eagle Square, ahead of a planned protest demanding the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State.

The security deployment involved personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

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 resulted in significant vehicular congestion and disrupted movement around Eagle Square and adjoining roads leading to Aso Rock, the seat of Nigeria’s federal government.

Many commuters, particularly civil servants heading to the Federal Secretariat, were forced to abandon their vehicles and trek long distances to their destinations.

As of the time of reporting, protesters had yet to arrive at Eagle Square despite the extensive security deployment.

The planned demonstration follows growing public outrage over the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15 when gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, with at least 45 pupils and teachers reportedly taken away.

The attack also claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster and a commercial motorcyclist.

National anger intensified after reports emerged that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was allegedly killed by his captors.

The incident has triggered calls from civil society groups, labour unions, religious leaders and opposition figures for stronger action to secure the release of the remaining victims and improve security around schools across the country.

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