Amnesty International has denounced what it called a growing crackdown on free speech in Kano State, claiming that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s detractors are being arbitrarily arrested, detained, threatened, and intimidated.
In a statement, the organization said that a number of persons had been detained or “invited” by security services due to remarks or social media posts that were critical of the state government.
It said that some of those detained had undergone “sham trials” and were given hasty sentences based on dubious accusations.
According to Amnesty, “people’s right to freedom of expression is endangered and a toxic climate of fear is being created by the rising tide of repression prevailing in Kano.”
The organization claimed that Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, also known as Aiha K Nass, had been detained since August and that his case was especially troubling.
Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dawanau is still under arbitrary custody due to a Facebook post comment. For her criticism, Fatima Dayyabu was arbitrarily detained, charged, and fined.
Maryam Usman, also referred to as Golden Queen, Muhammad Ahmad, Hafsat Muhammad Sauwama Kauwama, Khadija Garba Kadnass, Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala, and Isa Zanna Isa were among individuals Amnesty claimed had been the target of the purported crackdown.
It added that Zaidu Magaji had experienced “outrageous threats and intimidation.”
According to Amnesty, “these arrests are indicative of the severe stifling of freedom of expression in Kano State and the ongoing harassment of opposition politicians and their supporters.”
According to the group, those who criticise elected leaders shouldn’t be intimidated by security forces.
“The public have every right to criticise the president or a governor. No one, regardless of status, is impervious to criticism. It stated, “In a free society, it is unacceptable to arrest critics.”
Amnesty urged the Kano State Government and security services to uphold the freedom of expression and association of its citizens.
The Kano State Government had previously dismissed similar claims made by Amnesty as “misleading, unfounded, and a gross misrepresentation of facts,” claiming that security forces respond to petitions and accusations of crimes like inciting, defamation, and cyberbullying.
According to Amnesty International’s broader 2026 assessment of Nigeria, arrests and detentions of journalists and other individuals due to opposing expression, including instances involving social media posts, have also been documented.