Kano State government has dismissed Amnesty International’s claim that five people were killed during the swearing‑in ceremony of Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo. In a Wednesday statement, Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya called the report “misleading, unfounded and mischievous,” and said no official record of the alleged deaths exists.
The statement said the government was “shocked” by the allegation and that neither security agencies nor state authorities had received any report of a fatal incident at the ceremony. “We want to categorically state that the report was not only misleading and unfounded but also mischievous, as it lacks authenticity and practical evidence to prove it,” the commissioner wrote.
Investigations conducted in collaboration with the police and other security bodies failed to produce any evidence of the supposed killings. The government also noted that a reported clash involving “suspected thugs” did not take place inside or around the Kano Government House, and therefore should not be linked to the official event.
Waiya accused Amnesty International of publishing the story without proper verification, relying on social‑media video clips rather than official sources. “It is unfortunate that a reputable organization such as Amnesty International would stoop so low to report such a story without verification,” the statement said, adding that the NGO’s Nigerian leadership has repeatedly taken positions on Kano matters without consulting relevant stakeholders.
The commissioner condemned what he described as “unprofessionalism, promotion of fake news and misinformation,” and urged Amnesty International’s global leadership to monitor the activities of its Nigerian branch to safeguard the organization’s credibility.
The statement also highlighted Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s ongoing “Safe Corridor Kano Model” programme, aimed at curbing youth violence and thuggery. According to the commissioner, the initiative has already identified 2,030 repentant youths for rehabilitation and reintegration, and the State Executive Council has approved more than N600 million for the first phase, which targets 1,000 beneficiaries.
“Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf shall continue to put its best to facilitate the empowerment and development of Kano youths,” the statement read.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property through continued cooperation with security agencies. Residents were called upon to support ongoing peace‑building efforts and to remain vigilant in maintaining stability across the state.
