Photo caption: Nigeria Police and NSCDC officials
Security operatives are conducting stop-and-search operations on vehicles entering the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Our correspondent gathered on Monday, 29 July 2024, that military and police personnel set up roadblocks on the Abuja-Keffi and Abuja-Lokoja roads. These roadblocks caused significant delays in vehicular movement in the affected areas.
Additionally, some residents of Kubwa, Dutse Alhaji, Maraba, and Bwari reported noticing an unusually high number of security vehicles patrolling their areas.
The security agencies have not yet provided reasons for the increased presence of their operatives and roadblocks.
However, it might be related to the proposed nationwide protests slated to be held from 1-10 August 2024.
The protests were declared by some groups and activists in response to the economic hardship experienced by the citizens.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had stated last week that the nation’s capital was not available for the protest. To support his position, Wike mobilised some Abuja youths and other stakeholders against joining the planned protest. The minister explained that the move was to enlighten them on the ills of protests and why they should not be part of it.
The acting spokesperson for the Presidential Guards Brigade, Olokodana Odunayo, promised to get back to our correspondent.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, and the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
