Amnesty International Accuses Security Agencies Of Failing To Protect ADC Members During Campaign Attacks

Amnesty International has accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to prevent or stop 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 a 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, saying footage it analysed showed armed gangs assaulting people with cutlasses, attacking vehicles in the convoy and blocking roads during campaign activities.

The organisation also alleged that members of the media covering the event were targeted, with attackers pelting vehicles with stones 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 described the incident as a “brutal campaign of repression” against opposition parties and their supporters, warning that the attacks were increasingly restricting their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

It linked the Kebbi incident to similar attacks on ADC campaign activities in neighbouring Sokoto State in recent days, describing both as part of a troubling pattern of violence against opposition members.

The organisation stressed that nobody should lose their life or suffer violence for participating in peaceful political activities.

It further accused security agencies of failing 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 statement added.

The organisation also criticised the authorities over what it described as a failure to ensure accountability for the attacks.

It warned that continued violence against opposition parties could undermine democratic participation and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 general elections.