The Kwankwasiyya Movement has accused the Kano State Government of allegedly harassing and intimidating critics and supporters of opposition groups in the state.

The movement made the allegations in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, while reacting to an Amnesty International report concerning alleged arrests, detention and harassment of critics of the Kano government.

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Kwankwasiyya said the report reinforced concerns it had previously raised about what it described as a shrinking democratic space in the state.

The movement alleged that several individuals had been affected by arrests or intimidation, including Abba Ibrahim Kofar Nasarawa, popularly known as Aiha K Nass; Murtala Muhammad Dawanau; Fatima Dayyabu; Maryam Usman, also known as Golden Queen; Muhammad Ahmad; Hafsat Muhammad Sauwama Kauwama; Khadija Garba Kadnass; Ismail Hassan Hussain Lajin Dala; and Isa Zanna Isa.

It also said Amnesty International had raised concerns over alleged threats against Zaidu Magaji.

Kwankwasiyya Raises Concern Over Aiha K Nass Case

The movement expressed particular concern over the continued detention of Aiha K Nass, who it said had been arrested and brought before a Sharia court.

According to Kwankwasiyya, an initial application for bail was refused before bail was subsequently granted under what it described as stringent conditions.

The group said the conditions included the provision of two serving permanent secretaries and a Kano State Government employee as sureties.

The allegations and details of the court proceedings were presented by the movement in its statement and have not been independently established in the supplied material.

Movement Petitions Kano Judicial Authorities

Kwankwasiyya said it had petitioned the Chief Judge of Kano State and the Kano State Judicial Service Commission over the conduct and circumstances surrounding proceedings at the Sharia Court, Ungogo Division.

The movement said the petition was intended to seek institutional intervention and a review of the matter through lawful channels.

“We expect the petition to receive fair and impartial consideration, with appropriate action taken if any wrongdoing or procedural violation is established,” the group said.

It added that it would continue to use legal and constitutional mechanisms to challenge what it considers violations of the rights of its members and other citizens.

‘We Will Not Respond to Intimidation With Violence’

Despite its allegations against the state government, the movement said it would not resort to violence or encourage its supporters to take the law into their own hands.

“We will not respond to intimidation with violence. We will not encourage our members to take the law into their own hands,” Kwankwasiyya said.

The group also called on the judiciary to protect its independence and ensure that citizens appearing before the courts receive fair and impartial treatment.

“Let nobody provoke us into abandoning the path of law. Our response will continue to be constitutional, peaceful and lawful,” it said.

The allegations come amid continuing political tensions in Kano, with opposition groups and government supporters often disagreeing over governance, political activities and the treatment of critics.