The Imo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed displeasure over the closure of Ozisa FM Radio owned by the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) reportedly shut down the station, following its report on the July 17 killing of 14 wedding guests at Owo-Omama.
The victims were reportedly returning from Owo-Omama in Oru West Local Government Area when men suspected to be operatives of Ebubeagu, a security outfit in the State, opened fire on them.
The Imo State chapter of NUJ, through a statement issued in Owerri, decried the closure of the station, and alleged “politicisation” of the incident.
Mr. Precious Nwadike, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the union who siged the statement, argued that the only ‘crime’ the station committed was to report the massacre of the wedding guests.
“As a union, we are only aware that Ozisa FM, as part of its constitutional responsibility, which is enshrined in section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, reported the gruesome murder.
“We call on the NBC not to politicise its duties or allow itself to play into the hands of politicians.
“Ironically, the suspension of Ozisa FM is coming at a time every well-meaning Nigerian and organisation is condemning the genocide,” the statement added.
It further stated that the union would not keep quiet and allow politicians to destroy the nation’s democracy.
However, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Daclan Emelumba, on Sunday, denied Imo government’s hands in the closure of the station.
Emelumba described those accusing the government of being responsible as naive.
He stated that NBC had earlier shut down the station for employing a “quack” as presenter.
He further stated that the current ordeal facing the station could be connected with the same reason.
Emelumba added that the State government does not have such power to regulate the activities of the media.
Governor Hope Uzodimma had earlier absolved Ebubeagu of the killing, allging that it was done by operatives of the Department of State Services in Imo.
Uzodinma alleged in an interview with newsmen that the deceased were members of the Eastern Security Network, the militia arm of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, that had been terrorising the State.