Usama OLAGUNJUThe Kaduna State Government has warned members of the National Association of Nigerian Students to desist from their planned blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Tuesday, described the plans by aggrieved students to block the Kaduna-Abuja Road as “unacceptable and a prelude to the breakdown of law and order”.
According to reports, aggrieved varsity students protesting the seven-month industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities plan to block the Kaduna-Abuja Road as well as roads leading to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja to drive home their demands.
Channels Television had reported that the protesting students on Monday blocked the access roads to the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos, paralysing activities in the axis, with many flights rescheduled as passengers were stranded in the gridlock for over eight hours.
The protesting students had last week blocked the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Ibadan-Ife Road.However, the Governor Nasir El-Rufai administration “strongly” warned students not to block the Kaduna-Abuja Road, saying such action may “expose lives to unnecessary danger”The government also said security agencies will ensure that no such action is implemented.“
By this notice, individuals or groups planning to restrict citizens’ movements are advised to desist in the interest of public peace. While the Kaduna State Government is not depriving citizens the right to express discontent, public security and safety must always be the foremost consideration.“The danger of barricading a strategic route like the Kaduna-Abuja Road is better appreciated within the context of ongoing security operations covering the route, and other areas of interest.“
Keen attention must also be given to the possibility of certain gatherings degenerating into violence.
Citizens are therefore strongly advised against participating in such processions, particularly those which will impact the normal socio-economic activities of other citizens, or expose lives to unnecessary danger.
“Citizens may kindly be reminded that collective security should remain the first and most important consideration at all times. Individuals, unions and other groups are therefore urged to note this advisory for strict compliance,” the statement partly read.
NANS had threatened to ground activities at local and international airports as well as major roads across the country amid the protracted crisis between the Federal Government and striking lecturers.
The Federal Government had dragged ASUU before the National Industrial Court and the court has adjourned the case to today (Wednesday).
