Planned protest: Security agencies mount roadblocks in Abuja

There was a heightened security presence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with security operatives conducting stop-and-search operations on vehicles entering the nation’s capital, Abuja.

On Monday, it was reported that military and police personnel had set up roadblocks on the Abuja-Keffi road, particularly in the Kugbo area, as well as on the Abuja-Lokoja road. These roadblocks caused significant delays in vehicular movement in the affected areas.

Residents of Kubwa, Dutse Alhaji, Maraba, and Bwari reported noticing an unusually high number of security vehicles patrolling their neighborhoods.

The security agencies have not yet provided reasons for the increased presence of their operatives and roadblocks. However, it may be related to the proposed nationwide protests scheduled to take place from August 1-10, 2024. These protests, declared by various groups and activists in response to the current economic hardship in the country, have prompted the FCT Police Command to deploy 4,200 personnel to ensure the protests are not hijacked by criminals.

It should be recalled that Nigerian Tribune reported on July 27, 2024, that a statement issued to the press in Abuja on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, quoted the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, as saying: “The proactive deployment, aimed at ensuring public safety, protecting protesters, and preventing the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors, includes visibility policing, the deployment of explosive ordnance device (EOD) experts at various strategic locations, raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop-and-search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and coordination with other security agencies.”

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike stated last week that the nation’s capital was not available for the protest. To support his position, Wike mobilized some Abuja youths and other stakeholders against joining the planned protest.

The minister explained that the move was intended to educate them about the drawbacks of protests and why they should not participate.

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Wike, who met with religious, traditional, women, and youth leaders on Saturday, also engaged with youths from the Abuja South Federal Constituency in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Sunday.

On Monday, the minister further engaged with youths and other stakeholders in the Bwari Area Council.

He said, “There is no need for the protest. The current administration is barely one year in office, which is not enough time to assess its performance.

“You cannot judge leadership within one year. I have not been in office for up to a year, but I have accomplished so much that should be appreciated and demonstrate that the FCT is working.

“We want peace in the FCT, and therefore, we cannot stand by and allow it to be disrupted under the guise of protest,” Wike added.