President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a junior minister to address #BringBackOurGirls protesters who set out for the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, with the intention of seeing him.

The protesters led by former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, were not allowed to go beyond the Federal Ministry of Justice but were stopped in front of Eagle Square by a long chain of police personnel who sealed off the road. The protesters decided to sit on the ground and refused to be addressed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

A protest letter addressed to President Jonathan was later read by Mrs. Maryam Uwais, while the protesters were addressed on behalf of the President by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide.

The protesters, who set out from Unity Fountain, had wished to see President Jonathan so as to directly hear from him on efforts being made to the rescue of the over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, abducted by Boko Haram terrorists on April 14.

The rally was attended by the biggest crowd witnessed since the protests started on April 30.

•Photo shows the #BringBackOurGirls activists sitting on the ground after being refused access to see President Jonathan.