Jamflash —
In a move that has stirred public outrage, Niger State Governor Umar Bago has reportedly “granted” a prime parcel of land — originally belonging to the Niger State Waterboard — to his close associate, Shehu Kabiru, through his private company, Kash Crop Merchants Nigeria Limited.
The property, valued at over ₦1 billion, sits directly opposite the Suleja Local Government Secretariat and was initially designated for water infrastructure development to benefit residents. However, according to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, the land has since been repurposed and quietly listed for sale — despite its government ownership.
A Company Created After Bago Took Office
Investigations reveal that the beneficiary company, Kash Crop Merchants Nigeria Limited, was incorporated in September 2023, just three months after Governor Bago was sworn into office. The company was registered for “Animal Husbandry Services,” an activity that bears no connection to the land’s original purpose.
A Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) search shows Shehu Kabiru — identified as a “Personal Assistant to the Governor, without portfolio” — as the sole Director and shareholder of the company. His listed address is located in Kontagora, Niger State.
Official records further confirmed that the company was “granted” over one hectare of land valued at more than ₦1 billion, despite its prior allocation to a government agency.
A Governor Surrounded by Controversies
Governor Umar Bago has increasingly found himself at the center of public criticism and allegations of maladministration.
In August 2025, his administration ordered the shutdown of Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM, a privately owned radio station in Minna, accusing it of “anti-peace and treasonable incitement.” The closure came after the station aired several programs that discussed alleged failures in Bago’s administration.
Security operatives, including the State Commissioner of Police and Commissioner for Homeland Security, sealed the station’s premises and revoked its operating license — sparking immediate backlash from Media Rights Agenda and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). Both organizations condemned the move and demanded the immediate reopening of the radio station.
Clampdown on Critics
The administration’s intolerance of criticism didn’t end there.
Recently, Isa Mokwa, a student activist and social media commentator, was arrested over posts that condemned the government’s management of public resources and political appointments. Mokwa was later released, but the arrest triggered widespread debate on freedom of expression and the growing trend of silencing dissent in Niger State.
Public Reactions
Civil society groups and political observers have questioned the transparency of the land allocation and its implications for governance in Niger State. Many argue that such actions undermine public trust and contradict Bago’s earlier promises of accountability and reform.
As of now, the governor’s office has not issued an official statement addressing the allegations.
