By Dada Ahmed.
(C) Google.
Until recently, Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, could boast of a modest but vibrant broadcast media landscape.
With three radio stations, one federal, Prime FM 101.5,one state-owned,Radio Kogi FM 94.1 and one privately owned, Grace FM 955.5 all in Lokoja enjoyed a range of voices and perspectives that fed the state’s growing appetite for information, entertainment, and civic engagement. But in a troubling turn of events, that landscape has been significantly diminished.
The first major blow came when people of questionable character vandalized strategic facilities of Prime !01.1 following the closure of Grace FM 955.5, about five months ago. Sources attributed the shutdown of the station to operational challenges, among others plethora problems.For four months now, the station has been off the air, taking with it a unique voice in the state’s media space.
Just as the dust from that loss was beginning to settle, another crisis struck,this time targeting Prime FM 101.1. On Friday, July 25, 2025, unidentified vandals attacked the station’s transmission facility at Gimgbe , along the Lokoja-Ajaokuta road. The vandals left the station destroying critical broadcasting equipment, rendering the station silent and leaving its staff and listeners in shock.
Among the items stolen from the station include three transmitter copper lines, an automatic antenna changeover switch, a set of transmitter copper, 22 RF amplifier modules, a 100Ah battery, one audio console, and a radio device used for audio streaming.
The security guard on duty, Mr. Daniel Haruna, said about fifteen attackers stormed the facility armed with guns and cutlasses, adding that the intruders did not harm him physically but warned him to remain silent.as they carried out their act.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of Prime FM, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh, described the attack on the station as “unfortunate” and “a disturbing indication of how brazen criminal elements have become.”
He lamented the setback caused by the theft, noting that it may take a considerable amount of time for the station to resume normal operations.
Residents expressed concern that these back-to-back incidents have left Kogi State with only the state-owned radio station, Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kogi), as the sole source of terrestrial radio broadcast.
For a state with a population of over 4 million people spread across rural and urban communities, this negative development, many residents in Lokoja and its environs expressed concern that this alarming development poses danger to democracy, development, and inclusive governance.
Some media experts believe that the implications of this media contraction are far-reaching, beginning with information They note that radio remains the most accessible medium for millions of rural dwellers in Kogi, especially in areas without stable electricity or internet coverage. The expressed fear that with only one station functioning,listeners now have limited sources of news, civic education, weather reports, and emergency alerts among other media outlets.
Ardent radio listeners of observe that the impact of this development on democratic engagement is equally concerning .They leverage experience which shows that diverse media outlets provide a platform for political pluralism, citizen participation, and holding leaders accountable.But regret that with only one radio station, said the development remain worrisome.
At the level of economic consideration, experience shows that the development also does not augur well for local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This is because many of these economic concerns relied on affordable radio advertising to reach customers.
Therefore ,with only radio outlet for them to patronize, the concer has been that it may mean more advertisement for the surviving radio station on a positive development.However,economiexperts argue that on the other hand, some entrepreneurs may also lose their ability to advertise altogether, thereby impacting business visibility and local economic activity.
Even the media sector itself is also a victim in the sense that journalists, producers, technicians, and presenters may be either out of jobs for some time or facing uncertainty.
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In a state already grappling with unemployment, like other states of the federation, discerning minds closely watching media development in the state hold the opinion that disruption to the creative economy is a growing concern. This disruption, exemplified by the recent developments in the media landscape, is seen as another layer of hardship for professionals who play a crucial role in community development and cultural preservation.
Other members of the society argue that from the cultural perspective, the closure of Grace FM or vandalizm of the Prime FM has dwindled the number of radio platforms in the state charged with the responsibility of promoting local languages, music, stories, and traditions. They recall that the three stations featured indigenous content that reflects the ethnic diversity of Kogi. According to them,a drastic reduction in their number has diminished more opportunities for cultural expression and heritage preservation.
From a security standpoint, it must be stressed that radio plays an indispensable role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.No doubt,whether during elections, natural disasters, or communal clashes, timely and accurate information saves lives. With one radio station, the dissemination of critical information during emergencies may be more tasking hence the need to reopen the management of Grace FMradio
and timely repair ofvPrime FM radio cannot be overemphasized.
There is also a regional development angle to be considered in this regard. Kogi State’s central location gives the geopolitical expression strategic importance in the Nigerian federation. This presupposes that a more local media is in dire need to go along way in helping the state assert its identity, attract investment, and shape narratives about its potential.
Media analysts further observe that the current situation could isolate the state from national discourse and development opportunities,if unabated.
But on an optimistic note, it must be stressed that amid the gloom, there is still hope and room for innovation. The growing penetration of mobile phones and internet access provides opportunities for digital radio and podcasting.
It is being urged at this juncture on media entrepreneurs, with support from the government and development partners, to explore online platforms to reach audiences and boost independent journalism.
A clarion has also gone to the state government to note while it may not control private or federal stations, it can create more enabling environment for media to thrive through more infrastructure among others by ensuring improved safety of facilities and journalists.
In this wise,public-private partnerships in broadcasting should be actively explored.
The federal government, particularly the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), must also step in. The vandalism of Prime FM is a federal issue and must be investigated thoroughly.
Perpetrators should be brought to justice, and steps taken to rebuild and secure the facility to restore services quickly.
Ultimately, the current development on Kogi’s airwaves must be treated not just as a media issue, but as a development emergency. This is because a thriving media is not a luxury, but a necessity for social justice, political accountability, economic growth, and cultural identity. For Kogi State to prosper, its people must not be left in the dark.
In a swift response, Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, condemned the act of vandalism and assured that the state government would work with security agencies to apprehend the culprits.
He expressed the commitment of the Kogi State Government to the protection of all federal establishments within the state.
The Commissioner said the state government would work with the management of the affected station to ascertain the degree of vandalizm and get clues on what led to the unfortunate incident.
“We will be ready to render any possible support to the station in this trying period as we urge federal agencies in the state to be security conscious and always inform the State Government if and when they need support,” Fanwo assured.
More importantly,well to do indigenes of Kogi state should see this problem as a challenge to invest part of their resources in establishing more media houses; television or radio to give the state more exposure rich potential in natural and human resources to the outside world for better results.
Ahmed is the publisher of The Reporters.
