The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has asked Umar Bago, governor of Niger, to reverse his “illegal” order directing the shutdown of Badeggi FM, a radio station in Minna, the state capital.
On Friday, Bago ordered the commissioner of police to seal off the Badeggi FM radio station over alleged incitement of violence.
Bologi Ibrahim, the chief press secretary to Bago, had said the “daily activities of the radio station have been unethical”.
In a statement signed by Musikilu Mojeed, president of IPI Nigeria, and Tobi Soniyi, legal adviser, the institute described the crackdown on the radio station as “grave violation of press freedom and an assault on democratic norms”.
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The press institute argued that the “arbitrary closures of media outlets harm society by restricting the free flow of diverse opinions and information”.
IPI Nigeria said if the Niger governor failed to reverse the order within 48 hours, his name would be added to the “Book of Infamy”.
The book was launched by IPI Nigeria in 2022 to “document individuals whose actions directly or indirectly contribute to the repression, harassment, or intimidation of journalists and media organizations in Nigeria”.
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“IPI Nigeria recalled previous troubling incidents that point to a growing pattern of repression against the press under Governor Bago’s leadership,” the statement reads.
“In January 2025, Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for Peoples Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), was detained for three days after allegedly circulating an article critical of the governor’s media adviser.
“Similarly, in November 2023, Mustapha Nasiru Batsari, the Niger State correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), was reportedly assaulted by a commissioner in Governor Bago’s cabinet after requesting an interview regarding a violent clash between farmers in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area.
“IPI Nigeria reminded Governor Bago that his actions represent a blatant abuse of power and are incompatible with the rights enshrined in Sections 22 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee freedom of expression, the right to information, and press freedom.
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“The Institute called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the suspension imposed on Badeggi FM and warned of further action should the governor fail to comply.
“If Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago fails to unconditionally reverse this illegal suspension within the next 48 hours, IPI Nigeria will be left with no choice but to include his name in our Book of Infamy.”
