Benue govt seals David Mark's Joy FM over tax – Newstrends
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Benue govt seals David Mark’s Joy FM over tax

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David Mark

Benue govt seals David Mark’s Joy FM over tax

* It’s attack on press freedom – MD

By Madina Salawu

Benue State Government has shut Joy FM 96.5 Otukpo, a radio station owned by former Senate President David Mark.

Officials of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), who reportedly arrived on the premises on Thursday accompanied by two trucks full of armed police officers, carried out the shutdown during an afternoon news session.

Managing Director of Joy FM, Amb. Christabel Iyanya, condemned the raid, describing it as an unwarranted show of force that left employees terrified. “They broke down doors, pointed guns at our staff, and forcefully evicted them from the building. This is an attack on press freedom,” she stated.

Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed officers stormed the station, forcibly gaining entry through the doors.

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Staff members were allegedly manhandled and threatened, with news broadcaster Oloche Adeyi reportedly held at gunpoint and forced to stop reading the 1pm news bulletin.

Iyanya said the authorities claimed the shutdown was due to an outstanding N150,000 business premises fee.

She refuted this, stating that the station was unaware of any such debt.

“If we owed, we would have paid immediately. We have been in operation for almost two decades and have never defaulted on any payments,” she added.

Iyanya, a deputy national president of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, vowed to challenge the closure, arguing that the circumstances suggest a motive beyond taxation.

“This action raises serious questions. We demand an explanation why Joy FM was targeted in this manner,” she stated.

The closure has sparked concerns of political interference in the state’s journalism practice, with many calling for an investigation into the government’s actions.

Benue govt seals David Mark’s Joy FM over tax

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Tinubu, Gov Yusuf asked to resolve Kano Emirate crisis

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Muhammad Sanusi and Ado Bayero

Tinubu, Gov Yusuf asked to resolve Kano Emirate crisis

group, One Kano Agenda(OKA), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Abba Yusuf to facilitate peaceful dialogue among the stakeholders to resolve the current Emirship crisis in Kano.

The Director-General of the group, Amb. Abbas Abdullahi, who made the call while addressing a press conference at the NUJ press centre, Kano, on Sunday, also urged Northern Elders to encourage peaceful dialogue over the matter.

“We respectfully appeal to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and His Excellency the Governor of Kano State and the respected elders of Arewa to take a proactive role in encouraging peaceful dialogue among all relevant stakeholders.

“National peace begins with local harmony and the restoration of calm in Kano is a matter of national interest.

“A prompt non partisan mediation effort will go a long way in maintaining mutual respect between state and federal institutions and protecting our traditional values,” Abdullahi said.

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The group also called for peace and unity among residents of the state in the wake of the Emirship tussle.

It emphasized the need for all stakeholders “to put Kano first and avoid divisions that could harm the state’s social fabric.

“We are gathered here because we believe that Kano must come first before political differences, personal ambitions or any divisive agenda.

“Recent developments around the Emirate issue have stirred tensions, sparked public debates and regrettably fueled discord among our people.

“While discussions on matters of history and tradition are important, we must be careful not to allow misinformation or political manipulation to erode the unity we have built over generations,” it said.

The group warned against any attempt to politicize the Emirate issue and emphasized the importance of respecting the state’s traditional institution.

It urged all stakeholders, including youth, civil society groups, and religious leaders “to rise above divisions and work towards peace and unity.”

Tinubu, Gov Yusuf asked to resolve Kano Emirate crisis

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JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse

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JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse

Two persons have been rescued after a three-storey building collapsed in Lagos Island.

The building said to be under construction, caved in Sunday afternoon at 4, Agarawu Street, Lagos Island.

The victims were said to have been trapped when the building collapsed and were only extricated from the rubble by emergency workers who rushed them to the hospital.

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Confirming the incident, the Lagos Police Command said no life was lost.

Spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the site had been cordoned off by responders, adding that there was calm in the neighbourhood.

He said the relevant agencies would probe the cause of the collapse.

JUST IN: Two rescued in Lagos building collapse

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Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects

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FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismantled a notorious car theft syndicate operating in Abuja, recovering two stolen vehicles and arresting three key members of the gang.

The suspects reportedly confessed to refurbishing stolen vehicles, altering their colours, and reselling them as newer models to unsuspecting buyers.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

“On April 11, 2025, following a distress call received by the Durumi Division regarding the theft of a gold-coloured 2005 Toyota Corolla (registration number KUJ 208 DA) from a residence, operatives swiftly launched an investigation,” she stated.

The stolen vehicle was tracked to a workshop in Durumi, where it was undergoing illegal refurbishment. The car’s colour was already being changed in an attempt to conceal its identity and prepare it for quick resale.

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Further searches at the workshop led to the recovery of another red Toyota Corolla (registration number GWA 844 CK), which had earlier been reported stolen from a residence in Jikwoyi.

Three suspects were arrested at the scene: Steven Musa, David Dalyol (a painter) and Ibrahim Mohammed (a mechanic).

During interrogation, the trio confessed to being part of a larger car theft syndicate operating across Wuse, Central Area, Jikwoyi, and Bwari within the FCT. They admitted to stealing multiple vehicles, refurbishing them, and selling them off as upgraded models.

The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, commended the swift action of the officers involved and urged residents to install vehicle tracking systems and anti-theft devices to enhance recovery efforts in the event of a theft.

Police bust car theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest suspects

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