The Nigerian government has revealed that no fewer than about 150 new computers and laptops were inside the looted office of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano.
SaharaReporters had reported that the newly constructed facility was vandalised by unknown people masquerading as protesters. These hoodlums also looted a series of properties.
However, a separate group of protesters, wearing green caps with the word "peace" emblazoned on them, intervened and chased away the perpetrators.
Photographs obtained by SaharaReporters show numerous individuals making off with stolen items, including furniture, electronics, and equipment from the NCC office.
Speaking on the incident when he appeared on Channels TV on Thursday night, the Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the facility was completely vandalised by the miscreants.
He said, “I think from the top of my head here, I think we would have between 120 and 150 computers, both PCs and laptops in there. In fact, what was missing was the generator needed, a few more works and also the power backup that needed to be in the space before we could start using the computers.
“That was the last thing the contractor supplied and we meant to do put it in use. But this is part of what you get with protest.
“The last report I got was actually from an aide to the governor who is the gentleman that we have been working with on the official launch next week. And he had to reach out and say they may need more security officers to help.
“This is because they went in there, they broke the gate and they were taking electric cables, and connectivity cables were being pulled. That was the last report he gave me.”
The minister also mentioned that the government was putting everything in place to renovate the facility after the protest.
He continued: “Of course, when everything is settled, we will go back (to renovate). We have already seen a few companies saying this is an important project and they will be more than happy to support bringing it back.”