The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has expressed serious concern over recent invasion and closure of Joy FM 96.5, Otukpo, by the Benue State government.
The group also condemned threats on the life of Ibadan-based journalist, Tayo Oyeladun, of Lagelu FM.
IPC Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, said some policemen stormed the radio station in two trucks, allegedly led by the Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and an official of the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Otukpo Zone. Staff members were reportedly assaulted, and a journalist reading the 1pm network news bulletin was forced at gunpoint to halt the broadcast.’
IPC-SPJ insisted this incident is an abuse of power and an attack on press freedom and democracy.
She added, “we are calling for an immediate investigation of this incident, especially the officials involved. The appropriate punishment should be meted on those found guilty.”
Akinjiyan stated that the threat on Oyeladun as related to a programme he anchored, tagged, Bosenlo, after which the Chief Press Secretary to Soun Ogbomoso reached out to one of his senior colleagues to express his grievances about the comments of one of the guests. Since then, he began to receive strange threat calls.
To him, “the past few days have been hard for me and my family. I am facing death threats for doing my job as a broadcast journalist. I believe in balanced opinion and free speech in a democratic setting. I’m living in a society where the system favours the elite and those in position of authority,” he alleged.
“I have become a soft target in elite chess games and their pursuit of self-aggrandisement. There is pressure from high places to get me sacked of my job! If I lose my job or life, will they take care of my children and family? My offence? Being a child of nobody.”
Friends and family please keep praying for my safety,” he stated.
Meanwhile, IPC has called on the government and the security agencies, especially the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, to ensure that he is not harmed in any way.
It enjoined anyone who may be aggrieved over comments made during the programme anchored by the journalist or his guest to seek redress through legal channels instead of attempting to resort to extra-judicial self-help.
The centre further appealed to other media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his safety.
