Heavy Security at Presidential Villa Ahead of Protest

On Thursday morning, significant security was deployed around the Presidential Villa in the Federal Capital Territory in anticipation of a mass protest organized by a civil society group. The protest aimed to demand the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers recently taken hostage by terrorists in Borno and Oyo States.

Security personnel, including soldiers, police officers, and agents from the secret service, were strategically positioned to prevent the protest from approaching the presidential seat of power. Metal barricades were set up, and strict stop-and-search operations were conducted, allowing only a few vehicles to pass through the outer cordon.

As a result, commercial activities in the central business district were halted, and civil servants faced significant delays due to blocked routes. Despite the heavy security presence, no protests occurred near the villa gate by mid-morning.

However, heavily armed troops patrolled the streets, causing panic among residents, while business owners chose to close their premises early due to fears of potential clashes.