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September 02, 2025 – Nigeria –
Journalists in Kwara North are facing mounting intimidation after being summoned to the palace of the Emir of Lafiagi, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu Kawu, and warned to cease reporting on terrorist and bandit attacks. The monarch reportedly delivered the threats at the behest of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, accusing media outlets of “embarrassing” the government with their coverage of insecurity in areas such as Lafiagi and Patigi.
According to an anonymous source within the emirate, journalists were told that failure to comply could result in arrest. These developments follow earlier actions by the state, including threats directed toward platforms like The Informant247 for similar reporting.
The intimidation takes place against the backdrop of escalating insecurity in Kwara North, where kidnappings, killings, and ransom demands have become increasingly common. Local journalists covering these issues now face both physical danger from criminals and political pressure from authorities seeking to suppress coverage.
Press freedom defenders view the emir’s directive as a troubling escalation in the effort to silence independent reporting. The threats illustrate how traditional leadership can be leveraged by political powers to curtail media scrutiny, especially when reporting exposes governance failures.
As the climate of fear deepens, journalists are being forced to choose between reporting on community safety issues and safeguarding their own freedom. This development raises serious concerns over the shrinking space for free press in a region already beset by violence and instability.
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