Amnesty International has strongly condemned Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s decision to shut down Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio in Minna, describing the action as “an open attack on media freedom” and an abuse of gubernatorial power.
The international human rights organization issued a scathing statement on Saturday via its X platform, criticizing the governor’s order to close the radio station and revoke its broadcasting license as an unacceptable display of intolerance toward critical media voices.
“The governor’s claim that the radio station is causing violence and his careless order to cancel its license show an abuse of power and a refusal to accept criticism,” Amnesty International stated. “The decision to shut down the radio station is wrong and cannot be justified.”
The rights group drew sharp contrasts between the governor’s focus on the radio station and his administration’s handling of genuine security threats plaguing Niger State. Amnesty International pointed out the irony of targeting a media outlet while bandits and insurgents continue to terrorize communities across the state through killings and mass displacement of rural populations.
“While bandits and insurgents are ravaging the Niger state through killings and massive displacements of rural communities, with both the federal government and Niger state failing to protect lives, pointing accusing fingers at a radio station clearly shows a failure of leadership,” the organization noted.
Amnesty International characterized the attack on Badeggi FM as part of a broader pattern of intimidation designed to silence independent journalism across Nigeria. The group warned that such actions create fear in newsrooms and make it increasingly difficult for journalists to perform their professional duties effectively.
The human rights organization emphasized that Governor Bago lacks the legal authority to order radio station closures, noting that such powers are constitutionally vested in federal regulatory bodies. “Under Nigerian laws, the governor has no power to order the shutdown 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,” Amnesty stated.
The group demanded that Governor Bago immediately withdraw what it termed his “unlawful order” and called on him to respect media freedom by allowing independent voices to operate without intimidation or fear of reprisal.
Amnesty International argued that targeting independent media outlets deprives citizens of access to honest and balanced reporting on issues affecting their daily lives, undermining democratic principles and public discourse.
The controversy began Thursday when Governor Bago ordered the closure of the privately-owned radio station, citing allegations of incitement to violence and unethical broadcasting practices.
