Mercy Okpe.
The Benue State Government has reportedly sealed Joy FM 96.5 Otukpo, a radio station owned by former Senate President Dr. David Mark. The operation, which witnesses claim involved a significant police presence, unfolded around 1 p.m. on January 30, raising serious concerns over press freedom and governmental transparency.
Eyewitnesses recount that two trucks filled with armed policemen arrived at the station’s premises, led by the Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mr. Sunday Odagba, and Mr. Ikwue Ikwue from the State Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The raid allegedly resulted in the manhandling of staff and the abrupt cessation of a live news broadcast, with reports suggesting that the news anchor was forced to halt at gunpoint.
Ambassador Christabel Iyanya, Managing Director of Joy FM, vehemently condemned the incident. “They came and took siege on the station, rough-handled my staff, and destroyed our entrance doors,” Iyanya recounted. “They forced our news anchor to stop reading the 1 pm bulletin at gunpoint. This is beyond tax—it is something they must explain.”
The government’s justification for the closure centers on allegations that Joy FM owes ₦150,000 in business premises fees. However, Iyanya disputes these claims, insisting that no prior notice of such debts was communicated and characterizing the event as an invasion rather than a legitimate enforcement action. “If we were owing, they could have informed us. This was an invasion, not enforcement,” she asserted.
As Deputy National Chairman of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), Iyanya has vowed to pursue legal action against what she deems an egregious violation of the station’s rights and operational integrity.
The Benue State Government has yet to provide an official response to these allegations, leaving many questions unanswered. This incident has sparked a broader debate about the balance between regulatory enforcement and media freedom, with potential implications for the broader Nigerian media landscape.
The closure of Joy FM, a station operational since 2006 and influential across over seven states, underscores the tensions between government authorities and media entities. As stakeholders await further developments, the incident highlights the urgent need for dialogue and clarity regarding media operations and government interactions in Nigeria.
