Kano Faults Amnesty Int’l Report, Reaffirms Commitment To Free Speech

Kano State government has rejected allegations by Amnesty International that it is behind a purported clampdown on critics of Governor Abba Yusuf, describing the report as misleading and a distortion of facts.

Amnesty International, in its publication titled, “Kano: Escalating Repression Endangers Freedom of Expression,” alleged a pattern of arrests, detention and harassment of individuals for criticising the governor, allegedly at the instance of the state government.

However, in a statement issued yesterday, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya, said the claims were unfounded and failed to reflect the true situation in the state.

He insisted that the Yusuf administration remains firmly committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution.

He maintained that at no time had the government directed any security agency to target, harass or intimidate individuals for expressing dissenting opinions.

While acknowledging that freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, the commissioner stressed that the right is not absolute. According to him, offences such as libel, slander, defamation, hate speech, incitement and deliberate misinformation fall outside the ambit of protected speech.

“No democratic society permits the weaponisation of social media to spread malicious falsehoods, character assassination or content capable of breaching public peace under the guise of exercising freedom of expression,” he said.

The government further clarified that security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), operate within their statutory mandates, noting that invitations or arrests, where necessary, are based on petitions and credible allegations of wrongdoing such as cyberbullying and incitement.

Waiya emphasised that the state government does not micromanage federal security agencies but supports lawful measures aimed at tackling cybercrime and safeguarding public order.

He added that the Yusuf administration has remained media- and civil society-friendly, citing its commitment to open governance and citizens’ participation.

While reaffirming it’s commitment to rule of law and democratic values, the commissioner therefore, urged organisations and commentators to verify facts and engage relevant authorities before making conclusions capable of creating unnecessary tension in the state.