By Chinedu Adonu
A team believed to be government officials, military men, policemen on uniform and other unknown persons numbering over 50 have invaded National Television Authority, NTA, Onitsha and destroyed some properties in the premises.
They also beat the staff and occupants of the place, destroyed their cameras and seized phones for videoing them.
In a viral video seen by everydaynewsngr.net, the general manager of NTA, Violet Nnadi described them as land grabbers, saying that she tried to ask questions especially the demoliition order.
“Because I tried to stop them from taking NTA land, that they should not demolish the property without any prior notice, they beat me up, tore my shirts and seized my phones. The DPO asked them to stop doing it but they insisted on beating me and continued with the demolition.
“Without prior notice or any demolition warning, military men, officials of trans Nkisi landlord and others numbering over 50 led by officers of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, invaded the premises of NTA Onitsha and demolished some parts of the property.
“The news crew who made efforts to record the demolition amids intimidation were beaten up, cameras damaged and phones made away with.
“The general manager of the Station, Violet Nnadi who demanded for demolition order was assaulted.
Some NTA staff who shared their experience; Onyebuchi Anigbogu, and one of her colleagues said they were beaten up and their phones seized questioned why they should record them.
Those whose property were destroyed condemned the invasion the ugly incident and recounted their loses, “I don’t know those that came here, beat us and destroyed our properties.
“They destroyed everything, both the goods, container, tables. When I tried to video what they were doing, they started dragging my phone and over 20 of them pounced on me collected my phone and gave me serious injury. They did not even allow us to take anything out of the shop. They destroyed everything and attacked us. I don’t know where to start now,” occupants cried out.
The NTA staff while calling for relevant Authority and security agencies to come to their aid, wondered why they did not touch other lockup shops at the estate but only the shops in NTA premises.
