A deliberate protest demanding the discharge of the detained chief of the Indigenous Folks of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has triggered a sweeping safety lockdown across the Presidential Villa and different components of Abuja within the early hours of Monday.
Investigations revealed that the demonstration was spearheaded by the convener of the #RevolutionNow motion and former presidential candidate of the African Motion Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore.
The event paralysed site visitors throughout key entry factors into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with safety operatives mounting barricades at main roads main into town.
Entry into the Three Arms Zone, dwelling to the seat of presidency, was closely restricted, as mixed groups of troopers, police, and hooded Division of State Companies (DSS) operatives enforced stringent stop-and-search checks.
Workers of the Presidential Villa had a troublesome time gaining entry, with even these holding legitimate parking permits being turned again and redirected to various tons exterior the advanced.
A bewildered employee wrote on social media: “Please, can somebody discover out what’s going on within the Villa? All entry roads are blocked. No one is allowed in, even with tags.”
The ripple impact of the safety clampdown unfold far past the Villa.
Commuters on the Keffi-Abuja expressway have been stranded for hours after troopers barricaded the Karu Bridge earlier than the Sani Abacha Barracks as early as 4 a.m., halting automobiles to conduct rigorous checks.
Civil servants and merchants commuting from Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba, and Masaka have been the toughest hit by the gridlock.
Comparable scenes performed out alongside the Dutse-Bwari and Airport Highway corridors.
Motorists from the airport axis have been diverted on the Nationwide Mosque, with safety brokers blocking the path to the Central Enterprise District.
An advisory circulated amongst employees learn: “Good morning, expensive colleagues, please, in case you are coming from Airport Highway to Central Space, observe Space 1. Safety blocked from the Nationwide Mosque.”
A number of roads resulting in the Eagle Sq., Federal Secretariat, and Nationwide Meeting have been additionally cordoned off, with armed personnel sustaining a visual presence to forestall any breakdown of regulation and order.
Nnamdi Kanu, arrested and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021, stays in detention regardless of a number of courtroom orders for his launch. His supporters have persistently pressed for his freedom, citing worsening well being circumstances.
