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 an emerging 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 on the ADC campaign convoy, alleging that security agencies had failed to protect participants and uphold their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The organisation said footage it analysed showed armed gangs attacking vehicles in the convoy, assaulting individuals with cutlasses and blocking roads during the campaign activities.
It further alleged that journalists covering the event were targeted, with attackers reportedly throwing stones at media vehicles 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 such attacks were increasingly restricting the ability of political groups to exercise their democratic rights.
The organisation also linked the Kebbi incident to similar attacks on ADC campaign activities in neighbouring Sokoto State in recent days, describing both developments as part of a wider pattern of political violence.
It maintained that no individual should lose their life or suffer violence for participating in peaceful political activities.
Raising concerns over the conduct of security agencies, Amnesty International alleged that authorities had similarly failed to prevent or stop attacks on opposition members 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 organisation stated.
The human rights group also criticised what it described as the failure of Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability for those responsible for the attacks.
It warned that continued violence against opposition parties and their supporters could undermine democratic participation and create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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