As the strike embark upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU continues nationwide, the rally organized by members of the body in Akure yesterday was disrupted by the police.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that the Federal University of Technology Akure Chapter of the body were denied their opportunity to rally in sensitizing the public about reasons why they have embarked on strike for over four months.

The main gate of the institution was reportedly barricaded with armoured tanks, while some of the union members who tried to move on the street with placards were ambushed and stopped from doing so.

Same situation was recorded at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, as ASUU members of the chapter were not granted permission to hold any rally scheduled for yesterday.

Addressing newsmen, the FUTA chapter chairman, Dr. Alex Odiyi expressed disgust about the disruption by police despite a letter to the police command since October 17.

Dr. Odiyi said in a copy of the letter made available to newsmen in Akure that the rally was meant to enlighten the citizenry on the motive for the strike.

According to the letter signed by the chairman and the secretary, Dr. K. S. Adegbie, the rally   was to begin from the university gate to the Akure Central Market.

One of the police officers who led the stoppage of the protesters, appealed to them to remain calm within their campus so as to avoid hoodlums hijacking the rally and turn it to something else.

Dr. Busuyi Mekusi, who is the chairman of ASUU, Adekunle Ajasin Chapter, alleged that police in the town have threatened to deal with them ruthlessly if they hold the rally.