A team believed to be government officials, military personnel, police officers, and other unknown individuals numbering over 50 have invaded the National Television Authority (NTA) premises in Onitsha, Anambra State, destroying properties and assaulting staff.
The group reportedly demolished parts of the property, damaged equipment, and seized phones belonging to the staff who attempted to record the destruction.
In a viral video, Violet Nnadi, the General Manager of NTA Onitsha, described the individuals as land-grabbers and stated that she tried to inquire about the demolition order before being attacked.
“Because I tried to stop them from taking NTA land, that they should not demolish the property without prior notice, they beat me up, tore my shirts and seized my phones,” she lamented.
The destruction was carried out by individuals led by officers from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, military men, and others associated with Trans Nkisi landlord. Despite a request from the DPO to stop, the demolition continued.
News crew members who tried to record the event were also beaten, their cameras damaged, and their phones taken. Several NTA staff, including Onyebuchi Anigbogu, shared their experiences, reporting that their phones were seized and they were assaulted for attempting to document the destruction.
One of the victims of the demolition described how over 20 individuals attacked him, seized his phone, and caused serious injuries.
According to him, “They destroyed everything, both goods, containers, and 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.”
The NTA staff members called for support from relevant authorities and security agencies, questioning why other shops within the estate were left untouched while only those in the NTA premises were targeted.
