The Ondo State Government has clarified that the individuals who staged a protest at the Governor's Office in Akure on Friday are not recognized teachers in the state service but rather job applicants who fell victim to fraud.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the protesters had allegedly paid money to scammers who deceived them with fake appointment letters purportedly issued by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
"Please note that those who protested are not teachers but applicants who were duped by some individuals during the recruitment process. They all paid money to scammers who issued them fake letters of appointment," Adeniyan said in a statement.
Despite this, the applicants stormed the Governor's Office in Alagbaka, Akure, demanding inclusion in the ongoing capturing exercise for newly recruited teachers in the state.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters carried placards, accusing unnamed officials within SUBEB and TESCOM of masterminding the fraudulent recruitment.
Security operatives were deployed to maintain calm around the Government House axis.
The protest has once again brought to light rising concerns over recruitment racketeering within government agencies, with calls mounting for a thorough investigation into the alleged scam.
