Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Amnesty International has released an explosive statement demanding an immediate investigation into the massacre of five people in Kano State, after obtaining video evidence showing armed political thugs wearing the insignia of the ruling party chasing down and killing victims in the streets. The bloodshed, which occurred on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, has been described by the global rights body as the biggest surge in thuggery in the state in recent years, and one of the worst outbreaks of political violence recorded anywhere in the country.
According to the videos obtained by Amnesty International and reviewed by its researchers, the attackers moved in a well‑coordinated armed mob, pursuing individuals who were fleeing for their lives. The footage shows the assailants, who were dressed in T‑shirts bearing the insignia of the ruling party and shouting violent slogans, surrounding and brutally killing their victims on the streets. Other clips show the murdered individuals lying in pools of their own blood, twisting helplessly in their final moments. The rights group confirmed that it is currently investigating the names of several prominent Kano politicians and government officials believed to be the sole sponsors of the violent thugs. In a statement released on its official platforms, Amnesty International declared that the Nigerian authorities have a legal and moral duty to launch an immediate probe to ensure that both the perpetrators and their political backers are brought to justice.
The deadly rampage is the second act of fatal political violence reported in Kano in less than 24 hours. Earlier on the same day, a young man identified as Nura Ribadu was killed by suspected political thugs at the Kano Medical Centre along Race Course Road, shortly after the swearing‑in of the state’s new deputy governor, Murtala Sule Garo. Eyewitness accounts indicated that Ribadu, a resident of Dandago Quarters in Gwale Local Government Area, succumbed to injuries sustained during an attack inside the hospital premises. Conflicting narratives have emerged over the killing. While some sources alleged that the deceased was affiliated with political supporters of Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, others claimed the attackers were linked to loyalists of the newly sworn‑in deputy governor. Unverified video clips circulating online showed armed men wielding sticks and machetes assaulting the victim within the hospital, further heightening public concern.
The twin killings have sparked panic across Kano metropolis and thrown the state government into a defensive posture. As of Wednesday evening, the Kano State Government and the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue official statements on the allegations raised by Amnesty International. The rights group has warned that the continued impunity enjoyed by political thugs in Kano could further threaten public safety and democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. “The armed thugs reported to be working for some prominent politicians of the ruling party are increasingly posing a threat to the right to life, behaving as if they have carte blanche to kill and destroy,” the organisation said in its statement.
This latest outbreak of violence is not an isolated event. Political thuggery has remained a persistent and bloody feature of Kano’s political landscape for decades, with youths frequently mobilised during rallies, swearing‑in ceremonies and public events, often leading to violence, destruction and fear among residents. In recent weeks, the situation has escalated dramatically. On April 27, 2026, suspected ‘Yan Daba thugs stormed the bustling GSM Farm Centre Market in Kano, attacking traders and looting goods, spreading panic across the area and neighbouring markets. The police arrested six suspects in connection with that violence. On the same day, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested two political thugs, Sharu Abubakar Tabula and Isma’il Iliyasu Mangu, for deliberately inciting violence in parts of Kano State. Yet, despite these arrests and a controversial government amnesty programme that has pardoned over 1,300 repentant thugs since 2025, the violence has not abated.
Amnesty International’s intervention has placed the spotlight squarely on politicians it accuses of arming and deploying these gangs. “This incident reflects a dangerous escalation of the deadly cycle of political violence consistently happening across Kano in recent months,” the rights group stated. It added that the activities of such groups are increasingly undermining citizens’ rights to freely participate in political activities without fear or intimidation. The group also warned that failure to prosecute the perpetrators and their sponsors could embolden further violence ahead of future political events, including the 2027 elections.
As of press time, security agencies had not released an official statement on the multiple killings, but investigations are said to be ongoing. However, with Amnesty International now publicly naming the ruling party and alleging sponsorship by top Kano politicians, the pressure on the authorities to act—and to act transparently—has become overwhelming.
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