TheCable

The management of The Nation newspaper says the destruction of its head office in Mushin area of Lagos, on Wednesday, was an unwarranted attack on free press in the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, suspected hoodlums set the head office of the newspaper ablaze.

Some vehicles inside the building located on Fatai Atere way were also affected.

However, the situation was brought under control following the arrival of policemen.

Narrating the incident, Adeniyi Adesina, editor of the newspaper, in a statement on Wednesday, said the attackers arrived the premises in a coordinated fashion and set fire to the place, leaving workers trapped inside.

“Armed men on motorcycles invaded the headquarters of The Nation on Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos on Wednesday afternoon. In a commando-like manner, they kicked their way into the premises after scaring away security men on duty, brandishing their sophisticated guns,” the statement read.

“They poured petrol on the frontage of the building and set fire to it.
Some of the vehicles parked within the premises were set ablaze, others vandalised.

“Many boys came thereafter and swooped on the office, looting everything they could lay their hands on. These include desktop computers, laptops, air conditioners and other office equipment.

“At the time of the attack, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Victor Ifijeh, was among those trapped within the office while the fire raged on. They were evacuated when men of Operation Mesa security outfit arrived. Their arrival ended the free rein of the invaders. It was obviously a targeted attack on the free press.”

Adesina, who wondered why the newspaper’s building was set ablaze, said it had reported the #EndSARS protests fairly and did not understand why it was the subject of such an “unwarranted attack”.

“The Nation had been listed on Twitter and other social media platforms by sympathisers of the ongoing destructive activities, as a target of attack. The Nation has robustly reported the protests fairly, giving voice to the agitation of youths for a better Nigeria,” he said.

“The Management is at a loss as to why the company should be a target of such unwarranted attack.”

Meanwhile, other properties set ablaze in Lagos on Wednesday include the Television Continental (TVC) office in Ketu, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Marina, and the BRT terminals at Berger and Oyingbo.