The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA), in a statement signed by Dr. Mohammed Ali Idris, President, Northern Youth Assembly (NYA), and Dr. Hafiz Garba, Secretary General, has criticised Amnesty International over its recent report on the alleged killing of five persons in Kano State, accusing the organisation of bias, selective reporting, and attempts to tarnish the image of the state.
The group described Amnesty International’s statement as “reckless, unbalanced, and politically coloured,” arguing that it hastily attributed the incident to political motivations without conducting what it termed a fair and comprehensive investigation.
The NYA also expressed concern over what it called the organisation’s consistent focus on Kano State, alleging that similar security incidents in other parts of the country do not receive equivalent international attention or condemnation.
It stated that several communities across Nigeria continue to experience insecurity, violence, and displacement, but such cases are often not given the same level of global scrutiny as incidents in Kano.
According to the group, the incident which occurred on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, was a clash between rival groups of thugs with a long history of violent confrontation, insisting there is no verified evidence linking the Kano State Government or any political actors to the violence.
The NYA further faulted Amnesty International for allegedly relying on viral videos and unverified claims, warning that such reporting could escalate tensions and mislead the international community.
It stated that it was unfortunate for Amnesty International to “politicise a criminal clash among hoodlums” in a way that creates a false impression about Kano State and its leadership.
The group also accused the organisation of double standards, alleging that it amplifies incidents in Kano while paying less attention to similar security challenges in other regions of the country.
The assembly maintained that the incident should be regarded strictly as political thuggery, insisting that any contrary claim without concrete evidence was irresponsible and capable of damaging the reputation of innocent individuals and institutions.
It called on Amnesty International to desist from what it described as selective activism and sensational reporting, urging the organisation to uphold fairness, professionalism, and objectivity in its engagement on Nigerian security matters.
The statement added that the people of Kano would not remain silent while external organisations continue to portray the state negatively through what it termed unfounded and exaggerated allegations.
