Northern Youth Assembly Rejects Amnesty International Report On Alleged Kano Killings
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Northern Youth Assembly(NYA) has rejected the recent report of Amnesty International(AI) on the alleged killing of five people in Kano, accusing the organization of bias, selective outrage, and deliberate attempt to tarnish the image of Kano State.
The rejection is contained in a statement signed by the assembly’s President,Dr. Mohammed Ali Idris,and its Secretary General,Dr. Hafiz Garba.
The group described the AI report as reckless, unbalanced, and politically motivated,alleging that the organisation arrived at the report without conducting fair and comprehensive investigation.
“The more disturbing aspect of the Amnesty International report is how it has consistently concentrated its attention on Kano,while allegedly paying little attention to insecurity and violent incidents occurring in several other states across the country.
“Many communities in different parts of Nigeria have continued to experience serious security challenges leading to loss of lives and displacement of innocent citizens, yet such incidents do not always receive the same level of international attention and condemnation, directed at Kano State
“The clash that occurred on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, was a confrontation between rival groups of thugs with a long history of violent rivalry, insisting that there was no evidence linking the Kano State Government or any political actor to the incident.
“We categorically fault the Amnesty International for allegedly relying on viral videos and unverified claims to make sweeping accusations against the APC stakeholders in the State, or government officials, as such narratives could inflame tension and mislead the international community.
“It is unfortunate that Amnesty International has chosen to politicize a criminal routine clash among hoodlums in order to create a false impression against Kano State and its leadership,” NYA said.
It accused the AI of double standard by amplifying incidents in Kano while allegedly paying little attention to other parts of the country where similar security concerns are reported.
“The Northern Youth Assembly shall continue to maintain the branding of the incident as political thuggery, without concrete evidence, as the claim of the Amnesty International should best be described as a deliberate action capable of damaging the reputation of innocent individuals and institutions,” the group said further.
It urged the Amnesty International to stop what it described as selective activism and sensational reporting, and embrace fairness, professionalism, and objectivity in addressing issues affecting Nigeria.
“The people of Kano would not remain silent while external organizations continue to portray the state in a negative light through what could be best described as unfounded and exaggerated allegations,” the NYA warned.