Access roads leading to the Presidential Villa in Abuja were heavily restricted on Thursday as security agencies moved to prevent possible disruptions linked to a planned protest over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

According to The Nation, only residents, government workers and individuals with verified official engagements within the State House precinct were allowed into the area as security personnel mounted extensive checkpoints around key entry routes.

A combined team of military personnel, police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) enforced the restrictions, particularly along the roads linking the Presidential Villa through the Federal Secretariat and Supreme Court axis, as well as the Asokoro approach.

Motorists and pedestrians without legitimate reasons for entering the area were turned back, while visitors underwent strict screening, including identity checks and verification of destinations.

The security measures caused traffic disruptions around parts of the Three Arms Zone and adjoining roads as many motorists were redirected to alternative routes.

The heightened security followed threats by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to lead a protest march to Aso Rock if schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were not rescued by Thursday.

Sowore had joined demonstrators in Abuja on Wednesday to demand the release of the victims, who were abducted on May 15. During the protest, he criticised the government’s response to insecurity and vowed to continue public demonstrations until the victims regained their freedom.

“We are not begging anybody. We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect to do their work,” he said.

He also warned that the protests would continue, describing the movement as “just the beginning” and insisting demonstrators would not back down.

Earlier, Sowore had declared that protesters would march to the Presidential Villa if the abducted children and teachers remained in captivity.

As of the time of reporting, security operatives remained deployed at strategic points around the Presidential Villa, while access restrictions continued to be enforced.