Amnesty International has condemned the attack on campaign convoys of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, describing the incident as a threat to opposition parties’ rights to peaceful assembly and political participation.
The organisation said footage it analysed showed armed gangs attacking vehicles in the convoys, striking people with cutlasses and machetes, and blocking roads.
It alleged that suspected political thugs also pelted vehicles with stones and deliberately targeted media personnel covering the campaign, destroying cameras and other equipment.
Amnesty International described the incident as part of what it called a growing pattern of violence and repression against opposition parties and their supporters across the country.
It said the attacks were making it increasingly difficult for opposition members to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The organisation noted that the Kebbi incident occurred days after similar violent attacks on ADC campaign activities in neighbouring Sokoto State.
It stressed that no Nigerian should lose their life or suffer violence for participating in peaceful political activities.
Amnesty International further accused Nigerian authorities of failing to ensure accountability for similar attacks reported in Niger, Kaduna, Edo and Enugu states.
According to the organisation, investigations into previous incidents revealed failures by security agencies to prevent or stop the attacks and protect citizens exercising their rights to freedom of association.
It warned that continued violence against opposition parties and their supporters undermined democratic principles and created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
The organisation called attention to the need to protect political activities, media personnel and citizens’ fundamental rights, insisting that perpetrators of such attacks must be held accountable.
