Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has ordered the immediate closure of Badeggi FM, a privately owned radio station based in Minna, over allegations of inciting violence and engaging in unethical broadcasting practices — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from media stakeholders, rights groups, and civil society organizations.
The directive, issued during an expanded meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus at the Government House in Minna, was confirmed in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.
According to the statement, Governor Bago accused the radio station and its owner of persistently promoting content that incites the public against the state government. He further directed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the station and revoke its operating license.
“The daily activities of the radio station have been unethical. The owner of the station has incited the people against government, and the license of the radio station be revoked,” the statement read.
The Governor also ordered security operatives to profile the owner of the station, alleging that Badeggi FM was being used as a tool to fuel unrest in the state.
However, the governor’s move has triggered a wave of condemnation from rights groups and media watchdogs who described it as unconstitutional and repressive.
In a swift reaction, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, described the closure order as “lawless and repressive,” warning that it signaled an alarming clampdown on independent media voices in the country.
“Governor Bago’s order represents an alarming escalation in the clampdown on independent media… Accusing Badeggi FM of incitement without due process and moving to revoke its licence is a clear abuse of power and demonstrates an unacceptable intolerance for critical voices,” Sanusi stated.
Amnesty International demanded that the governor withdraw the order and focus instead on addressing the state’s growing security challenges rather than silencing dissent.
Similarly, the Wadata Media and Advocacy Center (WAMAC), through its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Zubair A. Idris, decried the action, calling it an attack on press freedom and a violation of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.
“We view this harsh and punitive action as an attempt to gag the press from performing its constitutional and professional responsibility,” Idris said, citing Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the media to hold the government accountable.
WAMAC joined other bodies, including the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) and the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), in demanding the immediate reversal of the governor’s directive.
It also urged the government to respond to any allegations raised on the station’s programming using the legally accepted right of reply.
The closure has sparked intense debate in media and legal circles, with critics arguing that only the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) — the industry regulator — has the authority to shut down or sanction a licensed broadcast station after due investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, Grassroots Parrot learnt that Badeggi FM remains sealed, and its broadcasts suspended, while public outcry against the governor’s action continues to mount.