Security operatives block march to Aso Rock as activist calls for urgent action on school abductions.
Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday led a protest in Abuja demanding the immediate rescue of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.
The demonstration, tagged #OccupyAsoRock, was originally planned to reach the Presidential Villa but was redirected to the Federal High Court after heavily armed security operatives blocked access to the State House.
Addressing protesters, Sowore described Nigeria’s security situation as alarming and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure the release of the kidnapped pupils and teachers without delay.
“We are asking that Tinubu, with immediate effect, go and rescue the children who were kidnapped from their schools,” he said.
Despite the heavy deployment of police, military personnel and civil defence officers around the Villa, Sowore said the protesters chose a peaceful approach and would not confront security forces.
The protest follows growing public outrage over the abduction of dozens of students and teachers from schools in Oyo and Borno states, incidents that have sparked nationwide demonstrations and an ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State.