Amnesty International has strongly condemned the recent order by Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, directing the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station based in Minna.
The human rights organization described the governor’s allegations of “inciting violence” against the station, as well as his directive to revoke its broadcasting license, as a blatant abuse of power and a serious attack on press freedom.
“This order is both misguided and unjustifiable,” Amnesty said in a statement on Saturday. “At a time when bandits and insurgents are inflicting widespread violence and displacing rural communities in Niger State, it is a gross failure of leadership to target a media outlet instead of addressing the underlying security crisis.”
Amnesty further noted that the move forms part of a broader pattern of repression aimed at silencing critical voices and fostering a climate of fear in newsrooms across Nigeria.
“The governor lacks the legal authority to unilaterally shut down a radio station. His actions represent an alarming disregard for constitutional protections of press freedom and the right of the public to access independent information,” the organization added.
Amnesty called for the immediate withdrawal of the closure order and urged the state government to focus on addressing the escalating security challenges rather than suppressing independent journalism.
