Amnesty International has condemned the attack on the campaign convoy of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The human rights organisation described the incident as part of an increasing pattern of violence against opposition political parties and their supporters across Nigeria.
According to Amnesty International, armed attackers wielding dangerous weapons assaulted members of the campaign convoy on Thursday, using cutlasses and machetes while blocking roads and attacking vehicles.
The organisation said it reviewed video footage of the incident, which showed suspected attackers carrying weapons and assaulting people.
It added that the attackers threw stones at vehicles and deliberately targeted journalists and media crews covering the campaign activities.
Amnesty International disclosed that cameras and other equipment belonging to journalists were destroyed during the attack, raising concerns about attempts to prevent media practitioners from documenting the incident.
The organisation said the attack threatened the constitutional rights of opposition parties to organise political activities, hold peaceful campaigns and conduct public gatherings.
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It also linked the Kebbi incident to similar violence recently recorded during ADC campaign activities in neighbouring Sokoto State.
Amnesty International further accused Nigerian authorities of failing to ensure accountability for previous attacks on opposition members and supporters in states including Niger, Kaduna, Edo and Enugu.
The organisation said its investigations showed that security agencies failed to prevent the attacks, intervene when violence broke out and protect citizens exercising their fundamental rights.
It warned that continued attacks and intimidation against opposition parties could undermine Nigeria’s democracy and create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
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