Amnesty International has accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to prevent attacks on opposition political activities following violence that disrupted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, campaign convoy in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The human rights organisation described the incident as part of an alleged growing pattern of political repression targeting opposition parties and their supporters across the country.
In a statement published on its official Facebook page on Thursday, Amnesty International condemned the attack on the ADC campaign convoy.
The organisation said footage it analysed showed armed gangs attacking vehicles, assaulting individuals with cutlasses and blocking roads during the campaign activities.
It also alleged that the attackers targeted journalists covering the event, throwing stones at vehicles and destroying cameras and other equipment belonging to media teams.
“What happened today is clearly a danger to the rights of opposition political parties to hold their activities freely,” the organisation stated.
Amnesty International further described the incident as a “brutal campaign of repression” against opposition parties and their supporters, warning that such attacks were increasingly restricting political groups’ rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The organisation linked the Kebbi incident to similar attacks on ADC campaign activities in neighbouring Sokoto State in recent days, describing both developments as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against opposition members in different parts of the country.
It stressed that nobody should lose their life or face violence for participating in peaceful political activities.
On the response of security agencies, Amnesty International alleged that authorities had failed to protect opposition members during similar incidents reported in Niger, Kaduna, Edo and Enugu states.
“In all cases investigated by Amnesty International security agencies failed to do their job of preventing or stopping the attacks to protect the right to freedom of association,” the organisation stated.
The human rights group also accused Nigerian authorities of failing to ensure accountability for the attacks.
It warned that continued violence against opposition parties could undermine democratic processes and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 general elections.
