Amnesty International has alleged a rising wave of repression against critics of the Kano State Government, with opposition supporters and other citizens reportedly facing arrests, detention, threats and intimidation over their expressions.
The organisation in a post on its official Facebook page said the alleged crackdown was increasingly creating a climate of fear and undermining the right to freedom of expression in the state.
In the statement, Amnesty said critics of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had in several cases been arrested or invited by security agencies, while some were allegedly subjected to what it described as hurried trials based on “bogus charges”.
It said supporters of opposition political parties were being particularly targeted over their social media posts.
Amnesty expressed concern over the continued detention of Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, also known as Aiha K Nass, whom it said had been in detention since August.
It also identified Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dawanau as another person allegedly being held simply over a comment on a Facebook post.
According to the organisation, Fatima Dayyabu was also arbitrarily arrested, arraigned and fined over criticism.
Other individuals listed by Amnesty as victims of harassment included Maryam Usman, popularly known as Golden Queen; Muhammad Ahmad; Hafsat Muhammad; Sauwama Kauwama; Khadija Garba Kadnass; Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala; and Isa Zanna Isa.
The organisation further alleged that Zaidu Magaji had been subjected to threats and intimidation.
“These arrests are indicative of the constant harassment of opposition politicians and their supporters, and severe stifling of freedom of expression in Kano State,” Amnesty said.
It added that security agencies were increasingly being used to harass and intimidate people who criticised the governor.
Amnesty maintained that citizens had the right to criticise elected officials, including the president and governors, regardless of their status.
“Arresting critics is unacceptable in a free society,” it said.
It called on the Kano State Government and security agencies to urgently respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association.
