The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State against actions that undermine press freedom and harass journalists. This appeal follows the recent assault on Musa Mikail, a senior reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), who was covering a Ramadan Iftar event in Bida, Niger State. ¹ ² ³
Mikail was allegedly attacked and forced out of the venue by security operatives acting on the instructions of Governor Bago’s Chief Security Officer, Shehu Abdullahi Maikano. The IPI described this incident as part of a “disturbing pattern of hostility towards journalists” in the state.
Governor Bago has been accused of suppressing freedom of expression and silencing journalists, leading to his inclusion in IPI Nigeria’s “Book of Infamy” launched in December 2025. Previous incidents include the detention of a Prestige FM reporter, Ahmed Isah Sakpe, and the closure of Badeggi FM Radio over broadcasts critical of the government.
The IPI has urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the assault and sanction those responsible.
Would you like to know more about the implications of this incident on press freedom in Nigeria or the response from Governor Bago’s administration?
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