By Mike Adeyemi
Staffers of National Pilot Newspaper, a leading media house in Ilorin, Kwara are still in shock over the attack by hoodlums on the corporate head office of the newspaper on Friday.
The hoodlums who attacked public and private property across the metropolis attempted to torched the structure of the media house of the fateful day.
Recalling her experience, the Accountant of the media house, Mrs Motunrayo Abdulsalam said she escaped the attack by the whiskers.
According to her, a call from a concerned person was her saving grace as she hurried left the office before the arrival of the hoodlums.
“I was in the office when I received a call that hoodlums who had gone to loot the Cargo Terminal were on their way to Asa Dam road, where my office is located.
“I informed the Managing Director and hurriedly left the office but ran into the miscreants who hit and banged my car. I had to make a detour and abandoned by car at Osere road and sought for refuge. I later trekked to my house several hours later.
“It was a scary experience because the hoodlums lay siege on the road and made bonfire from tyres. I later got a call that our office was attacked. I thank God for safety,” she narrated.
Giving her account, National Pilot’s security woman, Mrs. Wunmi Ayoola said the office was attacked at about 9pm on the fateful day.
According to her the commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in the area prevented the hoodlums from burning down the media house.
Recounting his experience, the night guard, Mr. Gbadebo said the hoodlums who were in large number banged on the gate demanding that he should let them in.
“They came in large number and some of them attempted to scale the fence and demanded that I should open the entrance gate for them.
He said a threat by him to unleash my supernatural power saved the situation.
“I threatened them that if I should open the gate, they would all vanish. That made them to retreat but not after destroying the burglary of the security room and the illuminators in front of the office,” he recalled.
For Alhaji Hussain Gold, a staff of the medium, the incident is an affront on press freedom.
He said the attack was launched on the office after he had left for home on the fateful day.
“I had to manoeuvre my way home because there was chaos everywhere. The hoodlums had made bonfire everywhere. I was really scared.”
Safety of journalists should be prioritize – Kabiru Yusuf, Chairman, IPI Nigeria, Raheem Adedoyin, Secretary, IPI Nigeria: Just when we thought the attack by protesters on media houses had ceased, we received a disturbing report that National Pilot Newspaper, based in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, has become the latest victims.
IPI condemns the attack on the Pilot and demands that the perpetrators be fished out and brought to justice.
We express our sympathy to the Pilot and its staff as we again call on the government to prioritise the protection and safety of journalists in the country.
Attack, disturbing – Prof Yusuf Badmus: Very pathetically disturbing. Sorry and sympathy to you. May Allah protect you always this should not dampen your heart in your resolve to uphold the truth at all time
May God continue to strengthen Nat’l Pilot – Alhaji Tunde Bello
Alhamdulilahi! Allah shall continue to be your strength.
It’s sad – Bola Kaji-Hausa-Fatigun: May God safe Nigeria and heal our land. It’s so sad
Thank God for protection – Gbenga Salami: Oh My God! Why? We thank the Almighty for His protection over you and your staff members.
My God replenish the loss – Hon. Lookman Ayinla: Thank Almighty Allah for your safety including your staff sir. Alhamdullilahi that you are safe Sir. My empathy on the destroyed property. God Almighty will replace them for you without pains.
May God continue to protect you – Alhaji Adi: Asalamu Alaikun and sorry about the attack of thugs on the premises of National Pilot. May Allah continue to guide and protect us. Please accept my sympathy.
It’s saddening – Bolaji Abdullahi, Ex-Minister for Sports and Youth Development: That’s really sad. But thank God no one was injured. Olohun yio máa sowa o (May God continue to protect us)
Why the attack? – Ademola Adegbamgbe: Ha, sorry about this. Why should your office be attacked?
May God continue to guard you – Rasheed Akogun: May Allah continue to guide and guard us sir
Thank God for safety – Kayode Olawuyi: Congratulations, Billy. Thank God for saving your life and that of your staff.
Attackers, criminal elements – Olusheyi Da Silva: Sorry about the attack and thank God there was not loss of life. The attackers are confirmed to be criminal elements
Incident, unfortunate – Prof Hassan Saliu: That was unfortunate and reckless but we thank God that no harm was done
May God’s protection be over you – Nasir Zubair: Subuhanallah. May Almighty Allah protection be on you all.
Attack, terrible – Uche Nnadozie: Terrible! Mob no good o. This is horrible
Kudos for pragmatic, good leadership – Prof Olokooba: May Allah continue to uphold us all. That’s was very pragmatic and exhibition of good leadership.
Comrade Bisì Fakayode: Great that’s wisdom. Thanks to God for using you to avert loss of life.
Hon Shehu Disu: May God return peace, love and unity to our society, may we never have any cause to share from the ravaging sorrow. May Allah protect and guide you too sir. Accept my sympathy.
Barr. Adams Toyin Jamiu: AlhamduliLlaah for your safety and the safety of your staff. May Allaah continue to protect us all. Good day sir
Yusuph Olaniyonu: Billy, I am sorry about this. Thank God for His intervention and the wisdom/courage to act.
Tunde Ashaolu: God will continue to protect us sir
Kola Shittu: Congratulations Billy as I pray Allah SWT to continue to be the protector to you, your family, your staff at the National Pilot, the National Pilot itself and the owners. Keep fit we are behind you as we continue to enjoy your performance. Cheers.
Lekan Onilu: Hahaa. Are the palliatives kept in National Pilot? What a hell is all these for God sake! Well, thank God for the safety.
Ladi Hassan: Please stay safe. Olohun yio ma fi isore sowa (God will continue to grant us safety). Amen.
This is sad, condemnable – Dayo Asaju: We thank God for the preservation of your life and the staff
Abdulateef Adedeji: Hmmm, thank God no life was lost, alhamdulillahi robil alaamin. I urge you to be courageous in the face of this ugly and unfortunate incident. May Allah S.W.T continue to protect and uphold us all. It was war and mayhem at Agro Mall too, we couldn’t sleep although the night. So much to say, but time not right to put issues in perspectives. Be strong my brother.
Prophet Olufemi Omomajemu: Accept my sympathy. This is uncalled for. These unpatriotic Nigeria youths must stop all this rubbish. This act is bad and inhuman. It’s not solving any problems but add to the sore of Nigerians. It’s better if they limit this kind of negative act towards thieves called politicians. Looting and burning of companies will increase the level of unemployment.
However, we thank God for your life and that of the staff. God will vindicate you and continue to bless and protect you in Jesus name.
