The government of Zamfara State has shut down three television stations and an FM radio station.

The Nigeria Television Authority, Gamji TV, Al-Umma TV, and Pride FM radio are all affected media outlets in Gusau, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, stated on the radio that the media outlets were shut down for allegedly breaking professional ethics.

According to Dosara, the impacted media outlets joined a protest in the state organized by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, even though the state administration had previously prohibited political rallies for security concerns.

He said, “The state government has suspended all political activities in the state due to security challenges but the PDP ignored the order and held a rally in Gusau, the state capital, where one person was killed and 18 others were injured.

“The four media houses, NTA, Gamji TV, Al-Umma TV, and Pride FM radio, were also at the event to cover the occasion even though they were aware of the ban on political rallies by the state government.

“Given this, the four media houses are hereby closed down with immediate effect.

“The government has directed security agents to arrest any staff member of the affected stations who try to go into the stations to perform any duty.”