Suspected vandals attack Kogi broadcasting station, cart away equipment

Some suspected vandals have attacked and destroyed facilities at the broadcasting station in Ochaja, Dekina LGA of Kogi state. 

Patience Salawu, public relations officer at the state ministry of information and communications, said in a statement on Tuesday, that the hoodlums who attacked the station on Monday night, carted away equipment worth millions of naira.

Salawu said the ministry carried out an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of damage, noting that the station would not be able to operate for now.

She added that the state government has directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

“The Kogi state broadcasting corporation, Ochaja was attacked on the night of Monday, 5th June 2023 as broadcast equipment and other valuables were either carted away or destroyed by the vandals,” the statement reads.

“The ministry officials led by the Hon. commissioner for information and communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo and the director general of the Kogi state broadcasting corporation, Alh. Ojo Oyila Ozovehe, paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the station to ascertain the level of damage at the broadcast station.

“His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello has directed security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book to serve as a deterrent to possible future occurrences.

“Security agencies are receiving useful intelligence to aid their investigations as the divisional police officer in Egume is working round the clock to apprehend the perpetrators.

“With the level of damage at the station, it is regrettable to note that the broadcasting corporation would not be able to operate for the time being. The government is however committed to returning the station back on air as soon as possible.

“As we thank the royal father of the host community for his concern over the unfortunate incident, we call on communities where government infrastructure is located to ensure the safety of the infrastructure as vandalization of such assets slows down the pace of progress.”