Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has described the prevention of the group from accessing the aso villa as a reminder of the military era.
Addressing journalists, the leader of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group said the presidency had been notified of the procession to the presidential villa, where the citizen movement was to deliver a message to the government.
The protesters had set out from the Unity Fountain in Abuja around 10:30am, but met with stiff resistance from police officers on the road leading to the villa.
Ezekwesili expressed surprise that the group was stopped, saying BBOG would deliver its message on the road notwithstanding the barricade.
The campaigners are at present holding a commemorative session on the busy secretariat
road, causing traffic congestion.