The Kano State Government has strongly rejected a report credited to Amnesty International alleging that five people were killed during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo.
In a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the government described the claim as “misleading, unfounded and mischievous.”
According to the statement, the government conducted inquiries and engaged relevant security agencies to verify the alleged incident but found no official report or credible evidence to support the claim.
The statement further clarified that no violent incident occurred at the Kano State Government House or its surroundings during the official function, stressing that attempts to associate the event with violence were politically motivated efforts aimed at tarnishing the image of the administration.
“The story was mischievously concocted by anti-Kano elements and their collaborators to discredit the Kano State Government,” the statement noted.
The government expressed disappointment that a globally recognized organization like Amnesty International would allegedly publish such claims without adequate verification or consultation with security agencies and relevant government officials in the state.
It accused the Nigerian leadership of Amnesty International of repeatedly demonstrating bias and unprofessional conduct in reports relating to Kano State, while allegedly ignoring similar developments in other parts of the country.
While condemning what it described as the promotion of misinformation and fake news, the Kano State Government called on the international leadership of Amnesty International to closely monitor the activities of its Nigerian branch in order to protect the organization’s integrity.
The statement also highlighted ongoing efforts by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address youth-related violence and thuggery through the “Safe Corridor Kano Model” initiative.
According to the government, over 2,030 repentant youths have already been profiled for enrollment into the rehabilitation and reintegration programme, while more than six hundred million naira has been approved for the first phase targeting one thousand beneficiaries.
The Kano State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property through collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders, while urging residents to continue supporting efforts aimed at maintaining peace, security and stability across the state.