Tension At National Assembly As Security Forces Stop Protesters At Gate

A heavy security presence on Thursday prevented protesters from accessing the National Assembly (NASS) Complex in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Personnel from the military, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to strategic locations, barricading major routes leading to the Three Arms Zone.

The security lockdown also extended to surrounding areas, including routes near the Supreme Court and the Presidential Villa.

Key access roads from the NEXIM Bank axis through the Federal Secretariat, Bullet House, and approaches from the Police Headquarters were also restricted.

The operation began early in the morning, around 7 a.m., causing significant traffic congestion across the area.

Many civil servants heading to the Federal Secretariat and the National Assembly were forced to walk long distances to their workplaces due to restricted vehicular movement.

Only limited access was allowed into the National Assembly Complex as security operatives maintained strict checks at all entry points.

The deployment followed a planned protest by the Take-It-Back Movement, a civil society organisation led by activist and 2027 African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

The group had intended to demonstrate against rising insecurity in the country and to demand the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

However, protesters were blocked from reaching the National Assembly as security agencies maintained a tight perimeter around the Three Arms Zone.

As of the time of filing this report, demonstrators were still unable to access the area due to the reinforced security blockade.