Amnesty International has condemned an “increasing crackdown on freedom of expression” in Nigeria’s northern Kano State, saying that critics of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are being subjected to arbitrary arrests, detention, threats and intimidation.
In a statement, the human‑rights group said several individuals have been arrested or “invited” by security agencies after making comments or posting on social media that were critical of the state government. Amnesty alleged that some of those detained were tried in “sham trials” and handed swift sentences on what it described as questionable charges.
The organisation highlighted a number of specific cases. It said Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, also known as Aiha K Nassar, has remained in detention since August. Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dawanau was reportedly held simply for a comment on a Facebook post, while Fatima Dayyabu was arbitrarily arrested, arraigned and fined for criticism of the authorities.
Amnesty also named other individuals it says have been targeted, including:
- Maryam Usman, popularly known as “Golden Queen”
- Muhammad Ahmad
- Hafsat Muhammad Sauwama Kauwama
- Khadija Garba Kadnass
- Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala
- Isa Zanna Isa
- Zaidu Magaji, who allegedly faced “outrageous threats and intimidation”
Amnesty called on the Kano State Government and its security agencies to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association, stressing that “it is perfectly within the right of the people to criticise the President or a governor.” The state government previously dismissed Amnesty’s allegations as “misleading, unfounded, and a gross misrepresentation of facts,” asserting that security actions are based on petitions concerning cyberbullying, defamation and incitement. Amnesty’s broader 2026 assessment of Nigeria also documents arrests and detentions of journalists and others over dissenting expression, including social‑media posts.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
