By Faith Chondol
Amnesty International has strongly condemn Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, over a controversial comment in which he suggested he would have shot a journalist during a live television interview.
Wike made the remark during an appearance on Arise TV, which has sparked widespread outrage among civil society groups and media advocates, who warn that such rhetoric could endanger journalists across the country.
During the broadcast, Wike, visibly irritated by a line of questioning, said: “If there’s any way to break the screen, I would have shot him,” referring to the journalist conducting the interview.
In a statement released on Saturday via its official social media handle, Amnesty International described the comment as “reckless and dangerous,” warning that it could incite violence against media professionals.
“The minister’s statement not only promotes violence but also violates Nigeria’s broadcasting code, which the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission is mandated to enforce,” the organisation said.
Amnesty further cautioned that such remarks, coming from a senior government official, risk normalising hostility toward journalists and undermining press freedom in Nigeria.
“This level of violent rhetoric from a member of the federal cabinet is unlawful and unacceptable. Mr. Wike must immediately withdraw his statement and issue a public apology,” the group added.
The incident has also drawn attention to the response of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission [NBC], with critics questioning the regulator’s silence despite its history of swiftly sanctioning media houses for infractions.
Wike’s tenure as FCT minister has been marked by frequent public controversies, but analysts say this latest episode represents a troubling escalation in tensions between government officials and the press.
Media rights advocates warn that unchecked statements of this nature could further shrink Nigeria’s civic space, placing journalists at greater risk as they carry out their duties.
Faith Chondol is a Human Rights activist and a junior reporter for The Nigeria Times.
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