Police have stopped antigovernment protesters from reaching Nigeria’s presidential villa in Abuja. The demonstrations were called across the country to protest the country’s economic crisis that has severely hit millions of families.

In Abuja, protesters marched early Monday from Unity Fountain in Maitama District, chanting songs and displaying placards, as they headed towards the presidential villa in the upscale Asokoro District.

They were met by a team of heavily armed anti-riot police personnel, who denied them entry into the Aso Rock villa.