Tight security in Abuja as Soldiers, Police mount roadblocks amid Sowore-led protest

Security has been tightened across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as combined forces from the Guards Brigade and the FCT Police Command mounted additional roadblocks at major entry points into Abuja.

According to a report by Daily Trust, the heightened security measures were introduced in response to the ongoing protest led by human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The move, however, caused massive traffic congestion across several parts of the capital city, including the Bwari, Zuba, and Nyanya axes, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded for hours.

In particular, the road linking Bwari to the Abuja city centre was completely blocked at the War College area in Ushafa and at Dutse-Sokale, disrupting the movement of workers and residents heading to their offices.

Earlier, the operatives only mounted road blocks at strategic places leading to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Court of Appeal Headquarters, Force Headquarters and the popular Eagle Square.

But a security source, who spoke to our Correspondent, said the blockade of some roads in the outskirts of FCT became imperative to prevent “external aggressors” from infiltrating the nation’s capital.

The development comes amid the alleged coup plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

“Every motorist entering the City Centre is being screened now. This is to separate infiltrators from the genuine Nigerians and law-abiding citizens. We can’t afford to allow unrest in the seat of powers,” the security official explained.

Another officer revealed that an intelligence revealed that the protesters were currently restrategising and may likely mobilise more street urchins to carry their mission.

A civil servant, Isaac Babalola, in an interview with our correspondent, said he was forced to return back home because of the traffic jam at the War College Camp in Ushafa.

He also confirmed that security operatives were thoroughly checking vehicles going to town, causing serious traffic jam.

In the same vein, many motorists coming Mararaba-Nyanya axis while speaking to Daily Trust, expressed frustration over the development, saying they didn’t plan for what was being experienced.

(DailyTrust)