Kwankwasiyya Vows to Use Law, Not Violence, Over Alleged Intimidation in Kano

KANO — The Kwankwasiyya Movement has vowed to challenge what it described as intimidation and harassment of opposition voices in Kano State through constitutional and legal avenues rather than violence.

The group, which supports NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso, said its members would remain peaceful and would not be encouraged to retaliate or take the law into their own hands.

Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, spokesperson for the movement, said in a statement that the group would rely on petitions, complaints, legal representation, judicial review and other lawful remedies.

“We will not respond to intimidation with violence. We will not encourage our members to take the law into their own hands,” the statement said.

The declaration followed recent concerns raised by Amnesty International over alleged arrests, detention and intimidation of critics of the Kano State Government.

Amnesty said several individuals had reportedly been arrested or invited by security agencies over comments and social media posts critical of the government, while it highlighted the case of Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, also known as Aiha K Nass.

Movement raises K Nass detention

Kwankwasiyya said Aiha K Nass had remained in detention since August and raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding his case.

According to the movement, he was arrested and taken before a Shari’a Court, where an initial bail application was rejected before bail was later granted under conditions.

The group said the conditions included a requirement for two serving permanent secretaries and a Kano State Government employee to stand as sureties.

It maintained that the conditions had effectively prevented his release despite the court granting bail.

Kwankwasiyya said it had subsequently petitioned the Chief Judge of Kano State and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission regarding the conduct and circumstances of the proceedings before the Shari’a Court, Ungogo Division.

The movement said the petition was aimed at securing a review through the appropriate legal and judicial institutions.

“We expect the petition to receive fair and impartial consideration, with appropriate action taken if any wrongdoing or procedural violation is established,” the group said.

‘Constitutional, peaceful and lawful’

The movement said it would continue to defend the rights of its members and other citizens through lawful means.

“Our response will continue to be constitutional, peaceful and lawful,” it said.

Kwankwasiyya called on the Kano State Government, security agencies and other relevant institutions to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and association.

It also demanded an urgent and impartial review of cases involving individuals allegedly detained or prosecuted over political expression, including Aiha K Nass and others named by Amnesty International.

The group urged the judiciary to maintain its independence and ensure that all citizens appearing before the courts receive fair and impartial treatment under the law.

Kwankwasiyya also appealed to its members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

Amnesty International has described the alleged arrests and detentions as part of a broader concern over freedom of expression in Kano. However, the Kano State Government has rejected similar allegations, saying security agencies respond to petitions and allegations of offences rather than simply targeting government critics.

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