Governor Umar Mohammed Bago of Niger State has directed the immediate closure of Badeggi FM, a private radio station based in Minna, the state capital, over allegations of inciting violence, broadcasting unethical content, and promoting anti-government sentiments.
The directive was issued on Friday, August 1, during a meeting with top stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the Government House, Minna. While addressing party leaders and government officials at the meeting, the governor expressed deep concerns about the rising trend of what he described as irresponsible media practices that threaten public peace and undermine the authority of the government.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago alleged that the management of Badeggi FM had repeatedly used its platform to broadcast messages capable of inciting unrest and encouraging public resistance against government policies and programs. He further accused the station of violating established broadcasting codes and using its platform to deliberately mislead the public.
According to the statement, the governor did not only order the station’s closure but also called for the immediate revocation of its broadcast license. He alleged that the station’s founder and owner, Mr. Shuaibu Badeggi, had consistently used the radio platform to mobilize the public against government efforts, thereby threatening the stability and peace of the state.
“Governor Bago also accused the owner of the station of inciting citizens against the government and directed that the license of the radio station be revoked,” the statement read.
In a decisive move to enforce the directive, the governor instructed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the station’s premises and ensure that the owner is profiled and thoroughly investigated.
The profiling, according to the governor, is necessary to determine whether the actions of the station amount to a calculated attempt to provoke unrest and destabilize the government.
The governor emphasized that while his administration remains committed to upholding press freedom and encouraging responsible journalism, it will not tolerate the misuse of media platforms to spread falsehoods, incite violence, or obstruct governance.
Badeggi FM 90.1, which was established in 2020 by Shuaibu Badeggi, has operated as an independent radio station in Minna, broadcasting music, news, and talk shows to audiences across the state. Since its inception, it has become a household name among local radio listeners.
However, the latest move by the government casts a shadow over its future and raises broader concerns about the balance between media freedom and state security in the region.
As of the time of this report, no official response has been issued by the management of Badeggi FM, and it remains unclear whether legal action will follow the government’s decision.
The development has sparked mixed reactions from residents, media practitioners, and civil rights advocates, with some defending the government’s stance on curbing media abuse, while others view the closure as a suppression of press freedom.