Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers have invaded a private radio station, Rhythm 94.7FM in Yenagoa, carting away valuables, including mobile phones, recorders and operational gadgets belonging to staff on duty. The Rhythm FM nationwide radio chain is owned by iconic entertainment entrepreneur, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce.

It was gathered that the gunmen broke into the station situated at Swali community in the Bayelsa State capital during live transmission around 4:40pm on Saturday, and returned the next day.

Though no life was lost during the operation, the staff of the station are said be traumatised.

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, has condemned the attack.

NUJ in a statement by the State Council Chairman, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, and the Secretary, Comrade Stanley Imgbi, noted that the attack is a rape on the entire media family in Bayelsa State and an attack on press freedom.

They enjoined the State security apparatus, especially the Commissioner of Police, to fish out the perpetrators of the crime and bring them to book.

They urged the commissioner of police to station a patrol van around the media house, as is the case in several strategic points in Yenagoa, because of the isolated location of the radio station. (Adapted from a Daily Trust report)