Friday, April 26, 2024

Buhari regime threatens to sanction BBC over documentary on banditry 

Mr Mohammed’s statement comes days after BBC Africa Eye published a documentary featuring interviews with bandit leaders.

• July 28, 2022
Lai Mohammed and BBC
Lai Mohammed and BBC

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed says the Muhammadu Buhari regime will sanction the BBC for their documentary on banditry, accusing the platform of amplifying the voice of terrorists.

“Let me assure you, they will not get away with this naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria,” Mr Mohammed said on Thursday in Abuja.

“When otherwise reputable platforms like BBC give their platform to terrorists, showing their faces as if they’re Nollywood stars, I want to assure them that they won’t get away with it, the appropriate sanctions will be meted.”

Mr Mohammed’s statement comes days after BBC Africa Eye published a documentary featuring interviews with bandit leaders. 

In the documentary, Abu Sani, a bandit kingpin said banditry “has become a business. Everyone wants money. That is why things are deteriorating, from the top to the bottom.”

Threats of sanctions against media platforms have become commonplace with the Buhari regime.

Before now, Mr Mohammed had threatened sanction against CNN for their documentary exposing how Nigerian soldiers opened live rounds on EndSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Peter Mbah

Politics

Mbah inaugurates new members of Enugu electoral commission

Governor Peter Mbah has inaugurated the newly constituted chairman and members of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission.

Court

States

Police arraign 44-year-old man for theft, threat to life in Ebonyi

The defendant is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, assault, stealing and threat to life. He, however, pleaded not guilty.

National Agency for the Great Green Wall

Agriculture

Great Green Wall seeks meaningful approach to tackling Nigeria’s climate crisis

NAGGW director-general Yusuf Maina-Bukar made the call at a two-day North-West Stakeholders’ Forum in Kano.

Pregnancy

States

Safe Motherhood Week: Kwara government distributes birth kits to 16 LGAs

The commissioner noted that the safe birth kits enhance hygienic practices during delivery.

AUTISTIC CHILDREN

NationWide

Nigerian parents advised against hiding children with disabilities

Bolanle Olawuyi of the Department of Social Sciences Education, University of Ilorin, has appealed to parents of disabled children against hiding them due to shame or stigma.

Malaria vaccine

Health

Anambra ready to take delivery of malaria vaccine: Commissioner

Health commissioner Afam Obidike disclosed this in Awka on Friday at a news conference to mark the 2024 World Malaria Day.