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.

Blueprint learnt that the gunmen broke into the station situated at Swali community in Yenagoa, the state capital 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.

Reacting to the incident, Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the attack, describing it as a rape on the entire media family in Bayelsa and on press freedom.

A statement issued by the NUJ Bayelsa Council Chairman, Tonye Yemoleigha, and the Secretary of Council, Stanley Imgbi on Monday reads partly “The state council was informed that the gunmen on two separate days, Saturday, May 17, at about 2: 10pm and on Sunday, May 18, at 4: 40p.m attacked the station and carted away valuables.

“Some of the valuables collected include mobile phones, recorders and operational gadgets belonging to staff on duty,” Yemoleigha said.

He called on the security apparatus, particularly the Commissioner of Police, to fish out those behind the crime and bring them to book.

He further urged that a police patrol van be stationed around the media house, as is the case in several strategic points in Yenagoa because of the isolated location of the radio station.

The NUJ Bayelsa boss, however, expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost during the attack.