Amnesty International has opened a public inquiry into the surge of gang‑related violence and political thuggery in Kano State after a series of deadly attacks on May 5, 2026, that left at least five people dead. The rights group said the inquiry aims to identify the perpetrators and the political figures alleged to be behind the attacks, and to hold them accountable under Nigerian and international law.
The inquiry follows reports that armed groups, locally known as “yan daba,” have been employed by prominent politicians and government officials to intimidate opponents and influence electoral outcomes. In a press statement on Friday, Amnesty International highlighted the growing threat these gangs pose to peace, security and human rights in the state.
Isa Sanusi, executive director of Amnesty International Nigeria, warned that residents of Kano are living in “constant fear” and called the situation unacceptable. He urged members of the public, civil‑society organisations and families of victims to submit information through secure channels to assist investigators in linking the gangs to their political sponsors.
“The public, civil‑society organisations and families of victims can use our safe channels to share useful information that will help ensure gangs involved in recent atrocities are held to account, while the politicians sponsoring the thuggery are sanctioned under international law,” Sanusi said.
Amnesty cautioned that unchecked political violence could erode democratic participation and undermine confidence in the political process. The organisation appealed to Nigerian authorities, politicians and political parties to uphold the rule of law, protect lives and property during political events, and publicly distance themselves from armed groups.
According to Amnesty, the deployment of yan daba by political actors contravenes Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The group warned that the mounting insecurity may discourage citizens from engaging in political and social activities.
The public inquiry adds pressure on security agencies and state officials to investigate the May 5 killings in Kano and Gwarzo and to take decisive action against those who sponsor or perpetrate the violence. Residents and civil‑society groups have expressed outrage and are calling for justice for the victims and stronger measures to curb political thuggery in Kano State.
