The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police on Thursday intervened to stop a planned protest by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja.
The protest was intended to address grievances, including the demand for the payment of four months of withheld salaries.
The leadership of JAC had begun addressing members at the Unity Fountain, preparing to march to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to present letters to the ministers.
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However, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe, interrupted the gathering and declared that no protest would be allowed.
To enforce this directive, the police deployed an armoured vehicle and a Hilux van to block the entry and exit gates, effectively halting the planned protest.
Despite efforts by union leaders to negotiate, the police remained steadfast in their decision, refusing to permit the protest to proceed.
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The union members, though aggrieved by the police action, were urged by their leaders to remain calm and avoid any actions that could escalate into violence.
Expressing their dismay, some of the non-teaching staff questioned the police’s decision to halt a peaceful protest, viewing it as a troubling sign for democracy.
Determined to ensure their letters were submitted to the relevant ministries, JAC leaders decided to drive to the offices of the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, instead of marching.
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In their addresses to the gathered workers, SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, NASU President Comrade Hassan Makolo, and NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi warned that if the withheld salaries are not paid by next week, they would be compelled to shut down universities and inter-university centers across the country.
The incident at Unity Fountain underscores the ongoing tensions between university staff unions and the government, highlighting the urgent need for resolution to avoid further disruptions in the educational sector.