Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
Armed youths under the platform of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) yesterday invaded Rhythm FM Radio studio owned by Senator Ben Bruce in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, and wounded some staff and persons who came for a live programme.
The armed invasion of the Rhythm FM studio, which was carried out by youths in buses and other vehicles, was launched during the live appearance of two executive members of a faction of IYC and guests of a live radio programme, Talk of the Town, anchored by Lishman Onisodemuya, a radio presenter.
It was gathered that the armed youths threw the Radio Station premises into pandemonium with sporadically gun shots into the air, forcing employees in both the radio and television studios of Silver bird Group to scamper for safety.
According to eyewitness, “the boys stormed the Radio station brandishing dangerous weapons, broke into the radio studio, interrupted the programme and dragged out the National Mobilisation Officer of IYC, Mr. Wisdom Ikuli, and a self-acclaimed spokesman of the council, Mike Edounkimor, who were guests of the programme”.
“Ikuli and Edounkimor were thoroughly beaten with bruises all over their faces by the youths who attempted to bundle them into one of the vehicles before the intervention of the police.”
It was learnt that before the arrival of the police, the mob seized the ensuing melee to rob employees of the studios of their money, mobile handsets and other valuables.The radio studio was temporarily shut down after listeners heard people screaming and running for cover.
But the police who arrived the area reportedly arrested and handcuffed the duo and took them to the Ekeki Police Station in Yenagoa. The President of IYC, Comrade Udengs Eradiri was also arrested as the alleged sponsor of the attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident and said the police were handling the matter.
It would be recalled that the fold of the IYC was recently thrown into crisis following the claims of six out of the 10-member executive council that the President of the Ijaw youth body, Mr. Udengs Eradiri and the Spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, had been suspended.
The document purportedly suspending Eradiri and Omare was signed by the National Secretary-General, Bristol-Alagbariye Emmanuel; Director of Mobilisation, Wisdom Ikuli; Legal Adviser, Ekine Egberekro; Assistant Secretary, Deinkoro George; National Women Leader, Felicia Ngeri and Financial Secretary, Kemepado Alfred.
The aggrieved executive members accused Eradiri and Omare of highhandedness, financial misappropriation and went further to claim that they had replaced Eradiri and Omare with Mr. Elvis Donkemezuo and Edounkimor respectively.
But the Speaker of IYC Mobile Parliament (IMP), Mr. Mkpon Ijonama, said reports that Eradiri and Omare had been suspended were the handiwork of few misled members of the IYC executives.IYC Parliament is saddled with the responsibility of sanctioning erring members of the council.
