Gunmen !nvade Badeggi Radio Previously Sealed By Niger State Govt, CEO Suspects Political Motive
Gunmen Invade Badeggi Radio Previously Sealed By Niger State Govt, CEO Suspects Political Motive
Although he stressed that the exact motive remains unknown.
The Chief Executive Officer of Badeggi Radio, Alhaji Shuaibu Baddeggi, has said a recent armed attack on the station at the National Television Authority (NTA) compound in Minna, Niger State, may be linked to perceptions that the station is not aligned with certain groups.
Although he stressed that the exact motive remains unknown.
Shuaibu told SaharaReporters on Thursday that the incident occurred on Saturday, May 16, 2026, within the National Television Authority compound, where Badeggi Radio operates from a rented space.
He said unidentified assailants invaded the compound at night and moved towards the station’s operational area, prompting concern over a possible targeted intrusion.
Speaking further on the possible motive, the Badeggi Radio CEO said the reason behind the attack remains unclear but may be connected to perceived non-affiliation or lack of support for certain groups.
He first expressed uncertainty over the attackers’ intentions, saying: “I don’t know their reasons, but definitely the attack is emanating from those who feel that we are not in their group, or probably we are not toeing their line, or probably we are not in their support, or probably we don’t follow them up, or probably we don’t go and kowtow to them.
“I don’t know. I don’t know the reason, but we are not changing our forecasting style, nor are we changing the fact that we will continue to tell the truth.”
Reiterating the station’s editorial position amid the incident, he insisted that Badeggi Radio would not alter its broadcasting style or reporting approach.
He maintained that the station’s commitment to its editorial direction remains unchanged, saying: “We are not changing our forecasting style, nor are we changing the fact that we will continue to tell the truth.”
Security personnel within the NTA compound were said to have responded swiftly after alarms were triggered, forcing the attackers to retreat through a rear exit near the generator section of the facility.
He confirmed that apart from a cut barbed wire at the perimeter fence, no major damage was recorded.
The matter has been reported to authorities in Minna and remains under investigation, he said.
Meanwhile, tensions between Badeggi Radio and the Niger State Government have continued to form a backdrop to recent developments involving the station, following a dispute that escalated in 2025 over allegations relating to its broadcasts.
The conflict began when the Niger State Government led by Governor Umar Bago took action against the station, accusing it of airing content considered unethical and capable of inciting public disaffection against authorities.
The government subsequently ordered the shutdown of the station and moved to revoke its operating licence.
The directive triggered strong reactions from media stakeholders and civil society organisations, who criticised the move as an infringement on press freedom. The station then challenged the decision in court.
In response, a Niger State High Court reportedly issued an interim order restraining the government from enforcing the shutdown, allowing Badeggi Radio to continue operations pending the determination of the substantive case.
