‘Abuse of power’– Amnesty International condemns Bago for ordering shutdown of Badeggi FM
Amnesty International has condemned Umar Bago, governor of Niger state, for ordering the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM, a private radio station based in Minna.
In a statement issued by Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s chief press secretary, the station was accused of unethical practices and inciting violence.
Ibrahim said Bago directed the police to seal off the premises and initiate the process of revoking its operating licence.
But Amnesty International described the move as a brazen abuse of power and an attack on press freedom.
Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said the governor’s actions were “misguided and unjustifiable”.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the lawless and repressive order issued yesterday by Governor Umar Bago of Niger state for the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio Minna – which is an independent source of news for the people of Niger state,” Sanusi said.
“The governor’s allegation against the radio station of ‘inciting violence’ and his order that ‘the licence of the radio station be revoked’ clearly show abuse of power and unacceptable intolerance of critical voices.”
Sanusi criticised the government for targeting the media at a time when Niger state is grappling with widespread killings and mass displacement by armed groups.
He urged the governor to withdraw the order immediately and allow independent journalism to thrive.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“Targeting independent media is solely aimed at depriving the people of the opportunity to receive fair and objective reporting of issues affecting their lives.”
SHRINKING SPACE FOR PRESS FREEDOM
The attack on Badeggi FM adds to the growing list of media organisations and journalists harassed or censored in Nigeria.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), in its Openness Index, reports that press attacks are increasing at an alarming rate across states and the federal capital territory.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Nigeria among the most dangerous countries for journalists in West Africa. Crimes against media workers are rarely punished, even when perpetrators are known.
In its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, RSF said Nigeria dropped 10 places to 122nd globally, citing rising threats to editorial independence and worsening governmental interference.
“The level of governmental interference in the news media is significant,” the report noted.
“It can involve pressure, harassment of journalists and media outlets, and even censorship. This interference is even stronger during electoral campaigns.”
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