Heavy security presence on Thursday prevented protesters from gaining access to the National Assembly (NASS) Complex in Abuja.
Military personnel, police officers, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) barricaded major roads leading to the Three Arms Zone.
Naijaonpoint reports that the security lockdown also affected routes around the Supreme Court and the Presidential Villa.
Access roads from NEXIM Bank through the Federal Secretariat axis, Bullet House and areas leading from the Police Headquarters were restricted.
The operation began as early as 7am, causing heavy traffic congestion.
Many workers heading to the Federal Secretariat and the National Assembly were forced to trek long distances to their offices.
Only limited vehicular movement was allowed into the National Assembly Complex as security operatives maintained strict control at entry points.
The deployment followed planned protests 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 planned to protest against rising insecurity in the country. It also called for the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The protesters were prevented from reaching the National Assembly Complex as security operatives maintained a tight perimeter around the Three Arms Zone.
As of the time of filing this report, they were unable to access the area due to the heavy security blockade.
