From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State government may consider involving heads of security agencies in providing adequate security for the state’s media organisations, following the attacks and theft of valuable equipment from the Kebbi State Radio Station by armed robbers.
In the early hours of Friday, about fifteen armed robbers stormed the radio station, tied all the security personnel on duty, and forcefully removed accessories from electricity transformers and cables, which affected the operations and services of the station.
The Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, disclosed the government’s possible decision when he was shown around the affected areas of the station by General Manager Abubakar Mahe.
He described the situation as unfortunate and regrettable in view of the loss of valuable equipment and the fact that the government was about to commence the second stage of the state media organisations’ resuscitation and improvement programme.
The Adviser noted with regret that the attack, suspected to have been carried out by a syndicate, was the third at the station, in addition to a similar one at the Kebbi Television Bulasa Transmission unit and another one at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) late last year.
He further explained that although there are many competing demands, Comrade Governor Nasir Idris will ensure that the stolen equipment is replaced, considering his determination to ensure that the people of Kebbi State are adequately informed and enlightened about the giant strides being made by his administration.
Conducting the Special Adviser around the station earlier, the General Manager explained that two electricity transformers had their accessories, and the attached armoured cables, including the ones in the store, were removed.
Mahe, however, disclosed that the engineers are working round the clock to ensure the resumption of transmission.