Amnesty International speaks out against attacks on Atiku's campaign in Kebbi

Global human rights group Amnesty International has spoken against the violent attacks on the campaign convoys of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State on Thursday. They warned that increasing political repression is threatening democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

This condemnation came after Amnesty reviewed video footage showing coordinated attacks by armed gangs. These gangs blocked roads, attacked opposition members with cutlasses, and damaged campaign vehicles.

The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was targeted by suspected political thugs during the attack. In one verified video from Argungu Local Government Area, these thugs were seen chasing opposition figures, beating them badly, and destroying their vehicles.

The attackers, armed with knives and machetes, also threw stones and bottles at the convoys. Journalists who were with the political convoy were not spared either. Amnesty reported that armed thugs specifically targeted media personnel, damaging cameras and equipment to stop them from recording the violence.

Amnesty International noted that the attack in Kebbi came just days after another violent incident against ADC campaigners in Sokoto State. This shows a disturbing pattern of intimidation meant to silence political diversity.

"Clearly, a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters is making it very hard for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly," the organization said in a statement. They stressed that no one should face danger or death for taking part in peaceful political activities.

The group also criticized Nigerian security agencies and federal authorities for their ongoing failures and lack of accountability. They pointed out that security operatives have often failed to stop attacks on opposition gatherings in states like Niger, Kaduna, Edo, and Enugu.

Amnesty warned that allowing political thuggery to continue undermines Nigeria’s democracy and creates a culture of fear as elections approach. They urged the authorities to quickly investigate the Kebbi incident, bring the attackers and their sponsors to justice, and ensure the safety of all political actors, no matter their party.