Lagos broadcast stations decry union violence, 48-hour shutdown

The management of Lagos State Government-owned broadcast stations has condemned the recent violent actions by striking union members, which disrupted operations and forced the stations off-air for 48 hours.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Service, Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, it was disclosed that the affected stations—Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/Eko 89.7FM, and Traffic Radio—were attacked on Monday by workers allegedly affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

The statement noted that striking workers reportedly vandalised studio doors, assaulted on-air presenters, switched off transmitters, and severed cables in an attempt to enforce the strike.

“The stations—LTV, Radio Lagos/Eko 89.7FM, and Traffic Radio—were forced off-air for 48 hours by workers who destroyed studio doors and assaulted presenters. They switched off transmitters and severed cables in unprecedented acts of violence, captured on video. Many workers were also whipped for refusing to join the strike, which aimed to pressure the government into placing about 400 workers on the civil service payroll,” the statement read.

Describing the incident as unprecedented, the station managers expressed their disappointment with the unions’ approach.

“Despite the State Government’s open communication channels, the leadership of NLC, RATTAWU, and NUJ chose the path of violence—both in words and actions,” the managers said in the statement.

They further described the strike as not only an attack on the broadcast stations but also a show of disrespect towards state authorities.

“The strike, which the managers have described as an attack and a sign of disrespect for the authorities, has raised doubts about the leadership of the NLC, RATTAWU, and NUJ in Lagos being committed to an amicable resolution of the crisis.”

The statement added that the union leaders have been invited to another meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 15 January 2025, to discuss the issues in dispute.