Vandals reportedly swooped on facilities of Kogi Broadcast Station at Ochaja and carted away equipment worth millions of Naira.

A statement signed and issued by Mrs Patience Salawu,
Public Relation Office, State Ministry of Information and Communications, said the incident happened in the night of June 5, at the Ochaja substation.

Salawu said that the Information Commissioner, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, and the Director General of the state Broadcasting Corporation, Alhaji Ojo Oyila Ozovehe, had paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the station to ascertain the level of damage at the facility.

“It’s very unfortunate that the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Ochaja, was attacked in the night of Monday, June 5, and broadcast equipment and other valuables were either carted away or destroyed by the vandals.

“With the level of damage at the station, it is regrettable to note that the Broadcasting Corporation will not be able to operate for the time being.

“All the same, government is however committed to returning the station back on air as soon as possible.

“Already, Gov. Yahaya Bello has directed security agencies to track and ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book to serve as deterrent to possible future occurrence,” she said.

The spokesperson said that security agencies were receiving useful intelligence to aid their investigations as the “Divisional Police Office in Egume is working round the clock to apprehend the perpetrators”.

She, however, thanked the Royal Father of the host community for his concern over the unfortunate incident.

The PRO called on communities to protect public property,  adding that “vandalization of such assets slows down the pace of progress and development”.