Amnesty International has condemned Niger State Governor Umar Bago for ordering the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Minna, describing the action as an attack on media freedom.
The global human rights organisation issued a statement on Saturday calling the governor’s directive lawless and repressive, warning that it reflects a broader attempt to silence critical voices in Nigeria.
“Attacking Badeggi 90.1 FM is part of a wider pattern of attempts to create a climate of fear across newsrooms in Nigeria and to make it harder for journalists to do their job,” Amnesty International said.
The Niger State government had ordered the immediate closure of Badeggi FM, a privately owned radio station, over allegations of incitement and unethical broadcasting practices.
Governor Bago gave the directive during an expanded All Progressives Congress caucus meeting held at the Government House in Minna.
According to a release by Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bago accused the station of encouraging unrest through its daily programming and instructed security agencies to take swift action.
“The daily activities of the radio station have been unethical,” the release noted, adding that “the owner of the Station has incited the people against the government.”
The governor also directed that “the license of the Radio station be revoked” and instructed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police “to seal the radio station.”
He further ordered security operatives to “profile the owner of the radio station as his station promotes violence.”
Amnesty International described the governor’s accusations and orders as an abuse of power.
“Governor Bago must immediately withdraw his unlawful order. Under Nigerian laws, the governor has no power to order the closure of a radio station. Choosing to bizarrely blame a radio station for the inexcusable security failures of the government is an open attack on media freedom,” the organisation said.
The human rights group suggested that the governor’s action was an attempt to divert attention from worsening insecurity in the state.
“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives,” Amnesty International stated.
The organisation noted that Governor Bago and his administration have recently been known for a media clampdown and taking a hard stance against dissenting voices.
The closure order comes amid ongoing security challenges in Niger State, which has experienced frequent attacks by bandits and other criminal groups in recent years.