Kano State Government has dismissed claims by Amnesty International alleging that five people were killed during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Deputy Governor of Kano State, Murtala Sule Garo, describing the report as misleading, unfounded, and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the state government said it received the report with shock and insisted that no such incident occurred at the Government House or within its vicinity during the ceremony.
The government stated that efforts to verify the allegation through security agencies and other relevant channels yielded no evidence or official report confirming the deaths.
According to the statement, the alleged clash involving political thugs, said to have resulted in the killing of five persons, was never formally reported and could not be substantiated.
The government accused unnamed “anti-Kano elements and their collaborators” of fabricating the story to tarnish the image of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
It further criticized Amnesty International for allegedly publishing the report without adequate verification, warning that such actions could create tension and undermine peace in the state.
The statement expressed disappointment that the organization relied on viral social media videos without contacting security agencies or government officials for clarification before releasing its findings.
The government also accused the Nigerian branch of Amnesty International of repeatedly demonstrating bias against Kano State and failing to maintain balanced reporting on issues affecting the state.
While condemning what it described as “unprofessional conduct, misinformation and fake news,” the state government urged the global leadership of Amnesty International to monitor the activities of its Nigerian chapter in order to protect the organization’s credibility.
Defending its record on security and youth development, the government said the administration of Governor Yusuf remained committed to ending political thuggery, gang violence, and hooliganism through targeted intervention programs.
It cited the establishment of the “Safe Corridor Kano Model” initiative, supervised directly by the governor, aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant youths involved in thuggery and related crimes.
According to the statement, over 2,000 volunteer youths have already been profiled under the program, while the State Executive Council has approved more than N600 million for the first phase of rehabilitation, empowerment, and reintegration targeting 1,000 beneficiaries.
The statement maintained that the government would continue to collaborate with security agencies and other stakeholders to safeguard lives and property across the state.
It also called on residents to continue supporting the administration’s efforts toward peace, stability, and socio-economic development, while security agencies carry out investigations into the matter.
