There was mild drama at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday as some security operatives attached to the seat of power staged a protest over alleged poor welfare and six months of unpaid allowances under the outgoing Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).

Naijaonpoint reports that the standoff, which occurred around 10:00 am, briefly disrupted activities as the operatives threatened to block Ibas’ convoy from leaving for the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The protesting security details, mainly operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), accused the interim administration of neglecting their welfare despite their loyalty.

According to Punch, one of the operatives in a video was heard shouting, “For what? They have made billions. We are not doing it again. Imagine for six months we have been suffering, working hard here. We will not agree. We will lock this place and nobody will go out. For what?”

Another operative added, “Do you know how much has been going out of this place (Government House), and they didn’t give us anything? We will not accept it again. They should give us our own. If it is politicians, they will give, so they should also dash (gift) us.”

An official of the Government House initially tried to pacify the operatives but was met with resistance, as the aides accused him of being ignorant of their plight.

Normalcy was later restored after intervention by senior security officials, allowing Ibas’ convoy to proceed to the airport for his trip to Abuja.

The media aide to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, in a chat with Punch, said he would issue a statement on the matter. However, no official comment had been released as of press time.