YENAGOA, Nigeria — Armed men suspected to be robbers stormed the premises of Rhythm 94.7FM in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during a live broadcast on Saturday, carting away valuable items belonging to on-duty staff, including mobile phones, recording devices, and other operational equipment.
The brazen daylight attack occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. at the station’s facility in the Swali community of the Bayelsa capital. The perpetrators reportedly returned the following day, intensifying fears over the security of media personnel and installations in the area.
Rhythm 94.7FM is part of a nationwide radio chain owned by entertainment mogul and former senator, Ben Murray-Bruce. While no casualties were reported, the incident has left staff members traumatised.
The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on press freedom and the safety of journalists.
“This attack is a rape on the entire media family in Bayelsa State,” read a joint statement issued by NUJ State Chairman Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha and Secretary Comrade Stanley Imgbi. “It is an attack on press freedom and a dangerous precedent that must not be ignored.”
The union called on the Bayelsa State Police Command and the Commissioner of Police to urgently investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Given the radio station’s relatively isolated location, the NUJ further urged the police to deploy a permanent patrol team to the area as part of broader efforts to protect critical media infrastructure in the state.
At the time of this report, no arrests had been made, and police authorities had not issued a formal statement. The management of Rhythm FM is also yet to publicly comment on the incident.
