By Abubakar Yunusa
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) said the invasion of Joy FM 96.5, Otukpo, by armed security operatives was an act of “state-sponsored thuggery” aimed at intimidating the media.
According to reports yesterday, a team of heavily armed policemen stormed the radio station on Thursday in two trucks. The operation was allegedly led by Sunday Odagba, Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), and Ikwue Ikwue of the State Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
During the raid, staff members were reportedly assaulted, and a journalist reading the 1 pm network news bulletin was forced at gunpoint to stop broadcasting.
In a statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned the shutdown, arguing that using armed security forces to enforce tax collection was excessive and unconstitutional.
“This is a disgraceful and unacceptable act of intimidation against a legitimate media organization,” the statement read.
“The Benue State Government must explain why a tax enforcement exercise required gun-wielding security operatives and the physical assault of journalists,” Onwubiko added.
The group called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to reopen the station immediately and hold those responsible for the invasion accountable.
HURIWA questioned the legitimacy of the action, stating that Joy FM was not given prior notice of any outstanding tax payments. It described the claim that the station owed N150,000 for a business premises levy as “laughable” and suggested political motives behind the shutdown.
“If indeed Joy FM had defaulted in any payment, was the only solution to storm the station with heavily armed policemen as if chasing terrorists? This is an outrageous abuse of power and must not be swept under the carpet,” HURIWA said.
The group warned that suppressing the press could set a dangerous precedent for democracy in Nigeria. It urged media organizations, civil society groups, and the international community to speak out against what it called an “assault on press freedom.”
The Benue State Government has not yet responded to the allegations.
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