Robbers have invaded the Akwa Ibom State Government House and carted away an undisclosed amount of money running into millions of naira meant to pay journalists.
According to internal sources, the office of the Secretary to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerette Udoh, where the money was kept was burgled, as the thieves reportedly tampered with the locks.
The sources who preferred to remain unnamed explained that the burglar emptied the contents of the Ghana-must-go bag, in which the money was kept and left on the floor.
A correspondent who visited the scene of the incident, met the Secretary to the CPS lamenting, saying it was the first time the money, which has always been in her custody over the years was stolen.
Another source said the chief Security Officer to the Governor came to the press centre a day after the incident to invite the driver to the Chief Press Secretary for interrogations.
“The money came in since yesterday afternoon but they refused to share it to the people it was meant for. So, the thief came in the night and destroyed the keys and gained access to the office of the Secretary to the CPS.
“This is not the first time the government house press centre is being robbed. We have lost about three Plasma Televisions, one at the reception, one in the reporter’s office and the other in the office used by cameramen. In all of these, no meeting, no replacement,” he said.
It was learnt that except at the entrance gate of the government house, no security camera is located anywhere at the centre, as such, tracing the criminal or criminals was impossible.
When the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Mr Ekerete Udoh was contacted on the incident, he declined to make comments, but rather assured that those who were meant to be paid would get their money.
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