●Sowore: “It would have been great if policemen preventing this march could instead protect our schools”
Security was tightened around the Presidential Villa Thursday as anti-riot police took positions at major access routes ahead of a planned protest by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and the African Action Congress, AAC.
Officers in full riot gear were stationed at the main entrance of the State House, forming a cordon around the gates. Access to the Presidential Villa was restricted to individuals with valid State House identification, while others attempting to approach the premises were turned back.
—Sowore threatens march over abducted pupils—
The increased security presence followed Sowore’s threat to lead members of the AAC and the Take It Back Movement in a march to Aso Rock under the #OccupyAsoRock campaign if abducted schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states were not rescued.
Sowore announced Wednesday that the protest would begin at Eagle Square from 8 a.m. Thursday, aiming to draw attention to the continued captivity of pupils, students and teachers across parts of the country.
CriticiSing the government’s handling of insecurity, Sowore said: “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.”
—“Your children are also in schools”—
The activist appealed directly to security personnel, urging them to consider the vulnerability of their own families. “It would have been great if the number of policemen preventing this march could instead protect our schools,” he said. “Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.
The planned protest comes amid public concern over the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states on May 15. Armed men reportedly kidnapped about 39 students and seven teachers in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, and 42 pupils in Askira-Uba LGA, Borno State.
In response to the Oyo incident, President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, with the National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Defence Staff. Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and deployment of a specialised rescue unit to strengthen efforts to secure the release of victims.
The government said both kinetic and non-kinetic measures were being deployed and appealed for community cooperation.
