Amnesty International has condemned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a comment he allegedly made against a journalist during a live television interview. The rights group stated that Wike said, "If there's any way to broke (sic) the screen, I would have shot him…" — a remark it described as reckless and violent. Amnesty made its position known in a post on its official X account on Saturday, warning that such language from a senior government official could encourage attacks on journalists. The organisation said the comment endangers press freedom and violates Nigeria's broadcasting rules, which regulate conduct on air. It urged the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission to enforce existing standards and hold public figures accountable. Amnesty described the statement as unlawful and unacceptable, especially coming from a federal cabinet member. The group demanded that Wike withdraw the comment and issue a public apology, stressing that public officials must be responsible with their words.
A cabinet minister threatening to shoot a journalist on live TV exposes the thin veneer of tolerance for dissent in high places. That Wike has not retracted the statement nor faced consequences normalises hostility toward the press. When a federal minister speaks this way, it signals permission for others to devalue journalistic work. Press freedom in Nigeria is only as strong as the respect its leaders show for scrutiny.
