By Fatima Saka
In a dramatic operation on Thursday, the Benue State Government sealed off Joy FM 96.5, a private radio station owned by former Senate President Dr. David Mark, in Otukpo.
The station, established in 2006 as the first private radio station in North Central Nigeria, broadcasts across seven states due to its high-frequency modulator.
The closure, which occurred around 1 p.m., saw two trucks loaded with armed police officers storm the premises. The operation was led by the Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mr. Sunday Odagba, alongside Mr. Ikwue Ikwue from the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Otukpo Zone.
Eyewitnesses reported that staff on duty were manhandled, and Oloche Adeyi, who was reading the 1 p.m. network news, was forced at gunpoint to abruptly halt the broadcast—a move widely seen as a violation of media ethics.
Station Management Reacts
Confirming the incident, Joy FM’s Managing Director, Ambassador Christabel Iyanya, condemned the raid, describing it as shocking and excessive.
“They stormed the station unexpectedly, creating panic. No prior notice was given, and we were unaware of any issue requiring such an aggressive approach,” she said.
Iyanya detailed how staff members, including the receptionist Juliana Ameh, veteran broadcaster Mallam Jibrin, and Head of News Cletus Ogbaje, were roughed up. Armed officers allegedly barged into the studio, forcing Adeyi to cut short the live news bulletin at gunpoint.
“They searched every office and forced everyone out. Unfortunately, I was away in Igumale for business. All our entrance doors were destroyed,” she added.
Dispute Over Tax Claims
Authorities claimed the station owed N150,000 in business premises fees—a debt the management disputes.
“We have operated for nearly two decades without defaulting on any tax or levies. If we owed such an amount, local officials could have simply informed us,” Iyanya argued, pointing out that one of the officials leading the operation, Ikwue Ikwue, was from her locality and could have easily reached out.
Anambra community wants thorough investigation over alleged kidnapper’s arrest
Condemning the raid as an abuse of power, she vowed to challenge the action legally.
“This goes beyond tax collection. It’s an attack on press freedom, and we will not let it go unchallenged,” Iyanya, who also serves as the National Vice Chairman of the Broadcasters Organization of Nigeria (BON), asserted.
The Benue State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
