Police in the nation’s capital have stopped members of non-academic staff unions of universities from proceeding on a protest to demand payment of their withheld salaries.
As early as 6 a.m., armed personnel were deployed with armoured vehicles and Hilux Vans.
They barricaded the entrance of the popular Unity Fountain in Maitama District of Abuja, the meeting point of the union members.
At about 9 a.m., the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, appeared at the venue.
He tells the union leaders they will not use Abuja streets for their protest.
But the General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, insists appropriate authorities were informed of the planned protest.
SSANU and NASU held a nationwide protest last week and resolved to a mega rally in Abuja this Thursday should the government not pay their four months salary arrears.