The Ondo State governor’s office was on Monday seized by no fewer than 100 former militants from Ese-Odo area who protested against non-payment of their amnesty allowance.
The protesters who drove forcefully into the premises chanting solidarity songs held some governor’s office staff, Alagbaka, hostage for hours while some others escaped by scaling the fence.
Eyewitness said security operatives at the gate were helpless as the protesters drove into the premises and blocked the entrance.
Led by one General Ossy under the aegis of Forest Boys, the protesters who prevented both human and vehicular movement in and outside the governor’s office alleged that the state government deceived them into surrendering their weapons.
They alleged that the state government, since last year, deceived them by assuring them that their names would be captured in the amnesty programme.
The state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu was however not in town as he had accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to The Netherlands for the 29th anniversary of Rome Statute of International Criminal Court (ICC).
The state government reacting through the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Segun Ajiboye said funds had not been released by the federal government.
