By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has in the last 9 months barred the Channels Television Correspondent, Abdullahi Umar Egba, from Government House following a controversy linked to an online report involving Governor Umaru Bago.
The purported incident occurred from a report published on Channels Television’s online platform, which captured a moment where the Governor was heard addressing his protocol officer, Yarima Abdullahi, in both Hausa and English using language perceived to be inappropriate.
The clip was later picked by Sahara Reporters, drawing wider public attention which the governor felt embarrassed.
Abdullahi Egba who was barred since on 22nd November, 2025 explained that the inclusion of the controversial segment was unintentional and resulted from technical challenges encountered while processing the report, adding that his laptop malfunctioned at the time, preventing proper editing of the said video.
The affected journalist further noted that he was invited by the governor to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident, during which he tendered both verbal and written apologies.
Over nine months after the incident, the channels correspondent revealed his continuously faced restrictions, raising concerns over alleged intimidation and undue pressure from government officials that reflects broader challenges confronting journalists in the state, including threats, harassment among other things.
Apparently, due to the governor’s perceived lack of respect for the media and their practitioners,he has allegedly consistently turned down the efforts of the Niger State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists led by Comrade Abu Nmodu (PhD) and other prominent Nigerlites interventions to resolve the matter could not yield positive results.
Despite these corrective measures, the situation escalated, as the governor reportedly directed his Chief Security Officer, Abdulmalik Attahiru from the Department of State Service and his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, to retrieve the journalist’s Government House identification card—effectively revoking his access to official activities.
This development has sparked growing concerns about press freedom and the working conditions of journalists covering government activities in Niger state.
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