On June 23, 2016, individuals suspected to be Niger-Delta militants armed with guns and other dangerous weapons invaded the premises of Rhythm FM Radio/Silverbird Television stations in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital in South-south Nigeria.
The MFWA’s correspondent in Nigeria reported that the militants went to the media organisation to look for two executive members of the IYC, Wisdom Ikuli, and Mike Edounkimor who were guests of a live radio programme, Talk of the Town, anchored by Lishman Onisodemuya.
The militants reportedly broke into the studio of the radio station, interrupted the programme and dragged out the Ikuli, and Edounkimor, who were the guests of the programme.
The militants caused panic as they shot sporadically into the air and forced employees in both the radio and television studios of the Silverbird Group to scamper for safety.
The militants also robbed employees of the radio station of their money, mobile phones and other valuables.
As a result of the chaos they caused, the radio studio was temporarily shut down.
The MFWA appeals to the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident and ensure that the culprits are brought to book.