Security operatives attached to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt staged a protest on Wednesday morning, disrupting activities over alleged poor welfare conditions and six months of unpaid allowances under the outgoing Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).
The demonstration, which began around 10:00 am, saw primarily Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel expressing frustration with the interim administration’s treatment of their welfare needs. The protesting operatives briefly threatened to prevent Ibas’ convoy from departing for the Port Harcourt International Airport.
The security personnel accused the federal administration of neglecting their basic welfare despite their continued loyalty and service during the six-month emergency period. Their grievances centered on unpaid allowances and what they described as inadequate attention to their working conditions at the seat of power.
Video footage from the protest captured the operatives’ anger, with one heard saying that despite the significant funds handled by the administration, security personnel had received nothing for their efforts. The operative complained about six months of suffering while working diligently at the Government House, declaring their unwillingness to continue under such conditions.
Another protesting operative highlighted the contrast between their treatment and the resources flowing through the Government House, questioning why they had been excluded from any benefits. The operative suggested that politicians typically receive consideration for their services and demanded similar treatment for security personnel.
When a Government House official attempted to calm the situation, the operatives rejected his intervention, accusing him of being unaware of their actual circumstances and struggles. Their resistance to attempts at pacification demonstrated the depth of their frustration with the administration’s handling of their welfare concerns.
The standoff continued until senior security officials intervened to restore order, eventually allowing the Sole Administrator’s convoy to proceed to the airport for his scheduled trip to Abuja. The intervention by higher-ranking security personnel appeared to provide the authority needed to resolve the immediate crisis and clear the way for normal operations.
Hector Igbikiowubo, media aide to the Sole Administrator, acknowledged the incident when contacted by reporters and promised to issue an official statement addressing the matter. However, no formal response from the interim administration had been released by the time of reporting.
The protest highlights ongoing challenges faced by security personnel assigned to protect government facilities during the emergency administration period. The operatives’ complaints suggest that welfare issues may have been overlooked during the transition from elected governance to federal administration of Rivers State affairs.
The timing of the protest, coinciding with preparations for the return to civilian governance following the lifting of emergency rule, raises questions about the interim administration’s management of personnel welfare during its tenure. The security operatives’ grievances indicate that basic administrative functions, including staff compensation, may have faced disruptions during the emergency period.
The incident also demonstrates the potential for labor disputes to emerge during periods of political transition, particularly when administrative changes affect routine personnel management practices. The security operatives’ willingness to stage a public protest suggests that internal complaint mechanisms may have proven inadequate for addressing their concerns.
With the emergency period officially ending and Governor Siminalayi Fubara set to resume his duties, the resolution of these welfare issues will likely fall to the restored civilian administration. The incoming government will need to address any outstanding obligations to security personnel while establishing clear welfare policies for future operations.
