Amnesty International has launched a public inquiry into the escalating cases of gang violence and political thuggery in Kano following recent deadly attacks that claimed several lives.
The organization disclosed this in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Saturday, describing the development as a threat to peace and human rights in the state.
According to Amnesty International, the inquiry is part of an ongoing investigation into the “rising gang violence and political thuggery costing lives in Kano.”
The rights group said the move followed the “horrific incident” of May 5, 2026, in which at least five persons were allegedly killed by armed political thugs in Kano and Gwarzo.
It added that more people had reportedly been killed since the attacks in what it described as “a new wave of gang violence taking over the streets of Kano.”
Amnesty International said the investigation was aimed at ensuring that “suspected perpetrators and the politicians sponsoring them are held to account in Nigeria and worldwide.”
The organization called on victims, families of victims and eyewitnesses to submit information through its official email channel.
Speaking on the development, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said residents of Kano were now living in fear due to the activities of armed gangs, popularly known as ‘yan daba.
“The recent incidents of activities of armed gangs (‘yan daba) working for some prominent politicians and government officials pose a threat to peace and human rights of all people of Kano. That these days, people in Kano are living in fear and this is unacceptable,” Sanusi said.
He added that civil society groups, members of the public and families of victims could use Amnesty International’s “safe channels” to provide information that would assist in ensuring accountability.
“The Nigerian authorities, politicians and political parties must respect the rule of law at all times, and ensure that lives and property are not put at risk and are protected before, during, and after political events,” he added.
The organization further urged politicians and political parties ahead of future elections to publicly distance themselves from armed gangs.
According to Amnesty International, the increasing violence in Kano is undermining citizens’ freedom to participate in social and political activities and must be brought to an end.
