The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, has expressed displeasure over the closure of Ozisa FM Radio, in Owerri.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the station is owned by the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) reportedly shut down the station, following its report on the July 17th killing of some youths who were said to be returning from a wedding ceremony.
The slain youths were said to be returning from Owo-Omama in Oru West Local Government Area, after the ceremony, when men suspected to be operatives of Ebubeagu, a security outfit in the state, opened fire on them.
In a statement issued in Owerri and made available to reporters, the Imo NUJ decried the closure of the station and alleged “politicization” of the incident.
“We call on the NBC not to politicize its duties or allow itself to play into the hands of politicians,” the statement read.
Signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the union, Precious Nwadike, the statement said the only crime the station committed was that it reported the massacre of the wedding guests.
“As a union, we are only aware that Ozisa FM as part of its constitutional responsibility as enshrined in section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, reported the gruesome murder.”
According to the statement, ironically, the suspension of Ozisa FM is coming at a time every well-meaning Nigerian and organization is condemning the genocide.
It further stated that the union would not keep quiet and allow politicians to destroy the nation’s democracy.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Daclan Emelumba in a statement on Sunday, denied Imo Government’s involvement in the station’s closure.