The Zamfara State government has ordered the immediate shutdown of some media organisations in the state for covering a rally by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
In a statement signed by the commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Dosara, the government said the Zamfara State Security Council approved and ordered the closure of some media outlets in the state for” breaking the laws of journalism,”.
NOHR learned that the action followed an event held by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday at the state capital Gusau, which the media organisations covered.
The affected media houses are Radio Nigeria, Pride FM Gusau, NTA Gusau, Gamji Television, Vision FM, and Al Umma TV.
The state government also directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest all journalists that attended the event organised by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare.
“An order has been given to the Zamfara State Police Commissioner to arrest anyone who ignores this order,” the statement added.
According to the commissioner, the closure of the media houses was based on the violation of the state security council directive on the suspension of political activities following the upsurge in banditry in parts of the state.
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has however condemned the order describing the action by the Zamfara state government as reprehensible and unacceptable.
In a statement by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, IPI Nigeria said the Zamfara State government does not have the power to shut down media houses, and called on the Zamfara State Police Commissioner to ignore the illegal directive by the state government.
“The order by the state government clearly violates the 1999 Constitution as amended, and has no place in a civilised society like ours,” Mr. Mojeed said.
