Governor Bago Shuts Down Niger Radio Station Over Anti-Government Broadcasts

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has ordered the shutdown of Badeggi FM, a privately owned radio station based in Minna, accusing it of broadcasting content that goes against ethical standards.

The governor announced the closure on Friday during a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders at the Government House in Minna.

He claimed the station’s broadcasts have been unprofessional and accused its owner of using the platform to incite the public against his administration.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Bago instructed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the State Commissioner of Police to seal the station and begin procedures to revoke its license.

The governor also asked security agencies to investigate and profile the station’s owner, alleging that the broadcasts promote violence.

The statement partly reads, “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 governor directed the commissioner for homeland security and the commissioner of police to seal the radio station, and emphasised the need for the security operatives to profile the owner of the radio station as his station promotes violence.”

Badeggi FM 90.1, established in 2020 by Shuaibu Badeggi, is a private station based in Minna.

However, critics have pointed out that the governor does not have the authority to close down a radio station, as issues relating to broadcast regulation fall under the jurisdiction of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Umar Bago recently directed security officers to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks in Niger State.