Shock and anger have greeted the reported invasion of the premises of the state-owned Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), operators of Orient 94.5 FM and Imo Television, along Achike Udenwa Road, New Owerri, by a government task force.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, involved a team of more than 15 officials said to be acting on behalf of the state’s Monitoring and Compliance Bureau.
According to eyewitness accounts and staff members, the officials allegedly spray-painted eviction notices on several buildings and facilities within the broadcasting corporation’s premises, directing the occupants to vacate within 72 hours.
The inscription reportedly read: “VACATE WITHIN 72 HRS BY IMGG – 28/10/26.”
Among the facilities reportedly marked were the live studio, transmitter blocks, Television House and recording studio blocks, raising concerns about the potential disruption of broadcasting operations.
The reported eviction directive has sparked concerns within the corporation, with sources claiming that the Director-General of IBC and the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Chief Declan Emelumba, were neither informed of nor consulted before the operation.
The claims have raised questions about the authority, procedure and administrative coordination behind the exercise.
A staff member who witnessed the incident described the operation as intimidating, alleging that the officials arrived without prior correspondence or adequate explanation.
“They came and marked our buildings, giving us 72 hours to vacate. This is a broadcasting station with sophisticated equipment, live transmission facilities and recording studios. Where do they expect us to relocate within three days?” the staff member reportedly said.
The directive, if enforced, could disrupt the operations of the state-owned broadcaster, which provides radio and television services to residents and serves as a channel for official government communication.
However, the circumstances surrounding the directive, including its legal basis and the position of the relevant government authorities, remain matters requiring official clarification.
The development has also triggered speculation among some stakeholders, community leaders and residents, who have drawn parallels with previous controversies surrounding land acquisition in the state.
Some sources linked the incident to allegations of irregular land acquisition in Owala Uratta, Owerri North Local Government Area, where certain operatives were previously accused of using the name of Governor Hope Uzodimma in connection with disputed land dealings.
The controversy reportedly generated public criticism and was followed by the removal of a former Commissioner for Lands and another government official said to have been implicated.
Nevertheless, the alleged connection between the Owala Uratta controversy and the IBC incident has not been independently established.
A public affairs analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that government enforcement powers could be abused if not exercised transparently and within the law.
The analyst called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the identity of the officials involved, the authority under which they acted and the purpose of the eviction directive.
The reported action has renewed public debate over the condition and future of IBC, with some residents expressing disappointment over what they described as years of inadequate investment in the corporation’s infrastructure.
Concerned citizens and media advocates argue that the priority should be the rehabilitation, modernisation and improved funding of the broadcasting organisation rather than any action that could jeopardise its operations.
Some Imo elders also recalled an earlier controversy involving an alleged attempt by a previous administration to take over the corporation’s headquarters, which reportedly attracted public resistance.
They urged the state government to avoid a repeat of any development capable of undermining public confidence in government institutions.
A representative of a local civil society organisation said the state broadcaster required urgent attention and modern equipment to improve its services.
“What the people expect is a comprehensive overhaul and modernisation of IBC after years of neglect, not an eviction exercise that could threaten a major public asset,” the representative said.
As concerns mount over the reported 72-hour ultimatum, broadcasting personnel and concerned residents have called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to intervene urgently.
They urged the governor to clarify whether the operation was authorised by the state government, direct the appropriate authorities to review the directive and ensure that due process is followed.
They also called for an investigation into the officials involved and the circumstances that led to the marking of the corporation’s facilities.
The government task force’s official explanation, the legal basis for the proposed eviction and the position of the IBC management are yet to be established from the information available.
Stakeholders say a prompt and transparent clarification is necessary to prevent unnecessary tension and protect the continued operation of the state-owned broadcasting corporation.
