Nigeria’s Federal Government announced plans to sanction the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Daily Trust for broadcasting documentaries accused of promoting terrorism and banditry.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this statement during a press briefing in Abuja, condemning both media outlets for unprofessional conduct.

Government’s Stance on Media Content

Mohammed criticized the BBC’s documentary, “The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara,” produced by BBC Africa Eye, which featured interviews with bandit kingpin Abu Sanni.

The 50-minute report, filmed by journalist Yusuf Anka in Zamfara State—a region heavily affected by banditry—quoted Sanni claiming that insecurity is a lucrative business benefiting various parties, including government entities.

The minister accused the BBC of granting a platform to terror groups, stating,

“When reputable platforms like BBC give their platform to terrorists showing their faces as if they are Nollywood stars, it is unfortunate.”

Similarly, Mohammed condemned Daily Trust for providing a platform to a bandit kingpin, arguing that such actions fuel terrorist activities.

He emphasized that media serves as the “oxygen” for terrorists and bandits, and the government will not tolerate content that could destabilize the nation.

Regulatory Response and Sanctions

The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the regulatory body for broadcasting, is reviewing the incidents to determine which parts of the Broadcasting Code were violated by BBC and Daily Trust.

Mohammed assured that “there will be consequences” and appropriate sanctions will be imposed. He clarified that the BBC’s status as a foreign medium does not exempt it from accountability.

“If they are not registered in Nigeria and are only sending signals, we will ask them to stop sending the signals,” he stated, referencing stricter standards applied by the BBC during the IRA conflict in the UK.

Minister’s Commitment

Mohammed reiterated the government’s resolve to curb media practices that glorify terrorism, stating,

“Let me assure you that they will not get away with the naked glorification of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria. It is because there is a country called Nigeria that they are operating here.”

Background on the Documentary

The BBC Africa Eye documentary, aired shortly before the announcement, highlighted the banditry crisis in Zamfara, one of Nigeria’s worst-affected states.

Abu Sanni’s claims in the documentary suggested systemic profiteering from insecurity, contributing to its persistence. The government’s response reflects concerns over media portrayals that could exacerbate security challenges.