Nigerian Democracy Working Group Faults Amnesty International Claims on the Alleged Killing of 5 people

The Nigerian Democracy Working Group strongly expresses concern over the recent report issued by Amnesty International regarding the tragic incident that led to the killing of five persons in Kano State.

While we condemn the loss of lives and support every legitimate effort aimed at ensuring justice and accountability, we find it disturbing that Amnesty International rushed to classify the incident as politically motivated without what appears to be a fair, balanced, and comprehensive investigation.

From available local accounts and realities on the ground, the incident of Tuesday, May 5, 2026, was a clash involving rival groups of thugs with a long history of violent rivalry.

At this moment, there is no publicly verified evidence directly linking the Kano State Government or political office holders to the unfortunate incident.

We are particularly concerned by what appears to be Amnesty International’s reliance on viral videos and unverified claims in making sweeping allegations capable of inflaming tensions and misleading the international community about the true situation in Kano State.

It is unfortunate that what appears to be a criminal clash among rival hoodlums is now being framed in a manner capable of creating a damaging impression against Kano State and its leadership.

We also observe with concern what appears to be a disproportionate focus on Kano State by Amnesty International, while several communities across other parts of Nigeria continue to experience serious insecurity, killings, and displacement without attracting similar levels of attention and condemnation.

The continuous branding of violent confrontations in Kano as political thuggery without conclusive evidence risks damaging the reputation of innocent individuals, institutions, and the state as a whole.

It is important to state that the Kano State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has continued to demonstrate commitment towards addressing the menace of youth violence and thuggery. A clear example is the recently approved Safe Corridor rehabilitation programme targeted at repentant youths as part of broader efforts to tackle the root causes of violence and social unrest.

We therefore call on Amnesty International to embrace fairness, professionalism, and objectivity in addressing issues concerning Nigeria. Selective activism and sensational reporting do not strengthen democracy, nor do they contribute positively to peace-building efforts.

The people of Kano will not remain silent while external narratives continue to portray the state negatively through what we consider exaggerated, unbalanced, and insufficiently substantiated allegations.

We urge relevant authorities to conduct transparent investigations into the incident and ensure that all individuals found culpable are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Signed:

Saed Adam Mohammed

Kano State Coordinator,

Nigerian Democratic Working Group

7th May, 2026

Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) for what he described as their sustained commitment to improving security across the Northwest and Nigeria as a whole.

The governor gave the commendation on Thursday while declaring open the Northwest State Directors of Security Services Zonal Conference held in Kano.

Addressing delegates drawn from Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, Governor Yusuf described the conference as a critical platform for security stakeholders to exchange ideas, share operational experiences and strengthen coordinated responses to emerging threats in the region.

He noted that Kano, being the most populous and cosmopolitan state in the Northwest, places high priority on security and peaceful coexistence, stressing that insecurity in neighboring states inevitably affects Kano.

“Kano has always placed the highest priority on security. Challenges faced by our sister states inevitably affect us as well because criminal activities cannot be confined by borders,” the governor said.

Governor Yusuf cited the recent kidnapping of the Secretary of Kibiya Local Government Area, Alhaji Hamza Musa Durba, as an example of the growing security concerns confronting the region. He disclosed that through intelligence-led operations by security agencies, the victim was rescued and the suspects arrested on March 26, 2026.

He praised the DSS and other intelligence agencies for their prompt response and professionalism, saying their efforts deserved “absolute commendation.”

The governor also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government under President Tinubu, noting that the administration’s determination to secure lives and property has strengthened collective efforts against criminality.

According to him, Kano State has invested significantly in upgrading security infrastructure and logistics for security agencies, including equipment earlier procured for the DSS.

Governor Yusuf said the state remains relatively peaceful despite several security challenges confronting the Northwest, including banditry, farmers-herders conflicts, cyberbullying, cyberstalking and the activities of street miscreants.

“I must commend the Kano State Command of the DSS for its proactive role in containing these threats and for working closely with sister security agencies to safeguard our people,” he added.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment and logistical support for security agencies to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

“As I formally declare this conference open, I trust that your deliberations will yield fresh ideas and practical solutions that will promote peace and socio-economic development across the region,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Kano State Director of the DSS, Hussaini Abubakar, said the zonal conference was convened to address security issues peculiar to the Northwest region and to strengthen collaboration among security agencies.

According to him, the meeting aligns with the vision of the DSS leadership to respond promptly to emerging threats across the region.

He identified major security concerns facing the Northwest as banditry, cyberbullying, illegal mining, sabotage of critical national assets and campaigns capable of threatening national cohesion.

Abubakar said the DSS has continued to engage in tactical operations to counter these threats and expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the DSS and the Kano State Government for supporting the conference.

Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Bakori, who was represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Lawal Mani, said the Northwest continues to face serious security challenges, including kidnapping and violent crimes that require seamless inter-agency cooperation.

He revealed that Kano had recently witnessed infiltration attempts by bandits operating along the Kano-Kaduna-Katsina border corridors but noted that the cordial working relationship between the police, DSS and other security agencies had contributed significantly to the peace currently enjoyed in the state.

In his remarks, the representative of the Kano Brigade Commander and Chief of Staff, Colonel J.I. Ogwi, emphasized the importance of sustained synergy among security agencies in tackling insecurity.

He said collaboration among sister agencies remains indispensable in ongoing efforts to contain criminal activities and maintain stability in the region.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Director of Special Services, Kano State Government, retired Major General Muhammad Sani, described the conference as timely given the security challenges confronting the Northwest.

He observed that the region, despite its rich human and natural resources, continues to grapple with banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and urban crime, worsened by poverty, unemployment and climate-related pressures.

“True security is more than the absence of violence. It is the presence of order, trust and justice,” he said.

According to him, intelligence gathering and ethical information sharing remain critical to achieving lasting peace and stability.

The retired military officer urged security agencies to adopt proactive strategies, deepen inter-agency collaboration and build stronger partnerships with local communities.

“Your work is often silent, but its impact is profound. The peace of a village, the safety of a market and the freedom of a child to attend school all depend on your vigilance and integrity,” he told participants.

He expressed optimism that the conference would produce practical solutions capable of restoring lasting peace across Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states, as well as the entire country.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Federal Government’s touting of Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth, accusing the administration of celebrating abstract figures while millions of citizens grapple with hunger, inflation, and collapsing purchasing power.

In a strongly worded press statement issued on Wednesday, the opposition party said the government’s economic messaging is “disconnected from the harsh economic realities facing ordinary Nigerians.”

“People do not eat GDP,” the ADC declared, arguing that growth is meaningless unless it translates into lower food prices, job creation, stronger purchasing power, and improved living conditions.

The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said Nigeria’s reported economic uptick does nothing to ease the daily suffering in markets, farms, factories, and homes across the country.

“No government should be celebrating economic statistics while millions of its citizens are battling hunger, poverty, collapsing purchasing power, and rising hopelessness,” the ADC said.

The party specifically cited unbearable food prices, punitive transportation costs, widespread small-business closures, salary erosion, and rising unemployment as evidence of a deepening crisis — one it says official GDP figures fail to capture.

“Economic growth that does not reduce suffering, create jobs, improve incomes, or restore dignity to citizens is empty growth,” the ADC said. “Growth that only exists in official reports while citizens descend deeper into hardship is not meaningful progress. It is economic abstraction disconnected from human reality.”

The ADC urged the government to stop “celebrating statistics” and instead show humility, acknowledge the pain Nigerians are experiencing, and focus on policies that deliver measurable improvements in living conditions.

“The purpose of governance is not to manage public relations for economic statistics,” the party said. “The purpose of governance is to improve the living conditions of the people.”

Calling for an economy that works for ordinary citizens — through affordable food, stable electricity, decent jobs, lower business costs, and improved purchasing power — the ADC insisted that until growth is felt in people’s homes, the government has “no moral basis to declare economic success.”

“The true test of economic policy is simple: Can Nigerians live better today than they did yesterday?” the statement reads. “For millions of Nigerians, the answer is no.”

The Federal Government is yet to respond to the ADC’s criticism.