***Vandalized equipment, GM, staff in turmoil.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers on Saturday in Jimgbe, a suburb of Lokoja metropolis, invaded the premises of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Prime FM 101.5 station, vandalized and carted away transmission equipment worth millions of Naira.
According to information gathered from the area, the robbery operation was carried out in the early hours of Saturday and lasted hours unhindered or interception from security operatives in the area.
Narrating his ordeal, the security guard on duty, Mr Daniel Haruna, a casual staff, said that the robbers who were heavily armed with dangerous weapons including guns and cutlasses, accosted him with two slaps and tied him up before going into operation.
“They were more than 10 of them. They came around 1:00 a.m. and when they spotted me with a flashlight, they slapped me twice and immediately blindfolded and tied me to a tree.
“I couldn’t cry out for help because I was completely overwhelmed and helpless. They ransacked the premises for over three hours. It was a terrifying experience I never imagined I could ever go through”, he recounted
Confirming the incident to journalists, General Manager of the station, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Adeiza, expressed deep concern over the attack, which has forced the station off-air.
“This is a major blow to our operations. We are currently off air because our transmitters and other vital broadcast equipment have been stolen and vandalized.
The criminals tied up our security guard before proceeding with their operations. Where do we go from here”, the apparently confused GM queried.
Momoh-Jimoh who reported the matter to the Police and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) however urged security agencies to intensify efforts at tracking down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“I’m appealing to the relevant authorities and stakeholders to come to our aid so that we can resume operations and continue serving the public”, he added.
Beyond the theft, the extensive destruction inflicted on the station’s facilities has raised serious concerns among staff and stakeholders.
Some staff of the station described the robbery attack as cheer wickedness as they wondered what the robbers would want to do with the equipment saying that the transmitters were obsolete and out of vogue. (Ends)