In a move that has sparked controversy, heavily armed police officers allegedly blocked the road leading to a ‘Tinubu Must Go’ event in Kano on Sunday, according to Amnesty International and the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD). The groups have condemned the action, accusing the police of violating the right to peaceful assembly.
According to reports, the police blocked both ends of the road leading to the event venue, preventing access to the event. This comes amidst growing calls for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu, who has been in office since May 29, 2026.
CITAD, a Kano-based NGO, described the action as a clear violation of the group’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. In a statement, the group’s executive director, Yunusa Yau, said the police had no justification for blocking the event.
‘This is a blatant violation of the group’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The police have no justification for blocking the event. We demand that the police immediately withdraw their officers from the venue and allow the event to proceed peacefully.’, Yau said.
Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the police action, describing it as an attack on the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. In a statement, the organisation’s director, Osai Ojigho, said the police had no justification for blocking the event.
‘The police have no justification for blocking this event. The right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right, and the police have a duty to protect and uphold this right, not to violate it.’, Ojigho said.
However, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has defended the police action, saying it was aimed at protecting the organisers and residents of the state.
‘We took this action to protect the organisers and residents of the state. There were threats of violence and we had to act to prevent any potential breach of the peace.’, Bakori said.
The police action has sparked protests from members of the ‘Tinubu Must Go’ movement, who have accused the police of trying to suppress their calls for the president’s resignation.
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