Amnesty International Nigeria has raised the alarm over what it described as an “escalating pattern of repression” in Kano State, alleging that people who criticize Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are being subjected to arrest, detention and intimidation.

In a commentary posted on its reliable Facebook web page on Tuesday morning, the human rights enterprise stated it’s “deeply concerned by the disturbing patterns of arrest, detention and harassment of persons simply for criticizing or making dissenting commentary” in regards to the governor.

The staff alleged that during many of the documented instances, the ones focused have been both arrested or “invited” through the Department of State Services (DSS).

“This rising tide of repression is increasingly creating a toxic climate of fear and endangering people’s right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said.

Amnesty cited a number of contemporary incidents it described as proof of abuse of energy and manipulation of regulation enforcement to suppress civic area in Kano.

According to the enterprise, Abba Ibrahim Hussain, a regulation scholar at Northwest University, was once allegedly kidnapped from his place of dwelling in Kano through armed DSS body of workers on Sunday for criticizing the governor.

He stays in detention and dangers lacking ongoing examinations.

The rights staff additionally referenced the case of Aminu Warkal, described as a social media influencer and govt critic, who was once reportedly detained for 5 hours over the weekend on allegations of “cyberbullying” the governor.

In any other example, Samir Hanga, son of the one NNPP serving Senator, Rufa’Hanga, was once stated to had been subjected to what Amnesty termed an intimidating DSS “invitation” for wondering after criticizing the governor. He was once later launched.

Similarly, Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda, a famend political commentator, was once allegedly arrested two weeks in the past and forced to withdraw his complaint of Governor Yusuf.

Amnesty additional claimed that TikToker, Saifullahi Abubakar was once unlawfully arrested and detained for generating a TikTok skit satirizing the governor.

“Satirising those in authority is not a crime,” the enterprise stated, including that “no one is above criticism, no matter his status.”

Amnesty International warned that whilst social media use for political statement is rising throughout Nigeria, Kano State seems to be witnessing expanding reprisals towards dissenting voices via intimidation and detention.

The enterprise referred to as on Nigerian government to “respect, protect, promote and fulfil the right of everyone to freedom of expression,” insisting that arresting critics is unacceptable in a democratic society.

As of the time of submitting this record, there was once no reliable reaction from the Kano State Government or the DSS in regards to the allegations.