The recent shutdown of Badeggi FM 90.1, a privately owned radio station in Minna, Niger State, by the state government has triggered widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and media advocates. Critics have labeled the move an unlawful suppression of press freedom and a deliberate effort to silence dissent.
The state government, led by Governor Umaru Bago, accused the station of making statements considered treasonous and of inciting unrest among the public. As a result, the station was promptly sealed off, and authorities reportedly marked the building for demolition.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Governor Bago stated that Badeggi FM was endangering peace and security in the region, claiming the station’s broadcasts amounted to treason. “Badeggi Radio is promoting insecurity in Niger City due to treasonable utterances; we have sealed that station with immediate effect,” he said.
Governor Bago further disclosed plans to petition the Minister of Information, calling for the revocation of the station’s broadcasting license. He claimed the station was engaged in activities that undermined peace and incited the public against the government.
Amnesty International, a prominent human rights group, strongly condemned the closure. In a statement released Saturday, the organization described the action as authoritarian and a violation of press freedom, suggesting it was part of a broader attempt to intimidate journalists and news outlets in Nigeria.
“Targeting Badeggi 90.1 FM is consistent with a troubling trend aimed at creating a climate of fear in newsrooms and limiting journalists’ ability to report freely,” Amnesty International said.
They emphasized that under Nigerian law, a state governor does not have the authority to unilaterally shut down a media outlet or revoke its license. The group urged Governor Bago to immediately reverse the order, calling it an abuse of power and an attempt to deflect from the government’s inability to tackle growing insecurity.
Amnesty International also criticized the administration for using independent media as scapegoats, arguing that such actions deprive citizens of access to unbiased information and reporting.
Governor Bago’s administration has come under scrutiny in recent months for increasingly adopting a repressive approach toward media and dissenting voices in the state.
