By AHMED AKANBI

Amnesty International has condemned the alleged blockade by heavily armed policemen of a venue where supporters of the “Tinubu Must Go” movement planned to hold a political event in Kano on Sunday.

The global rights body described the action as “unlawful and outrageous” violation of rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty asked the Nigeria Police Force, NPF to immediately stop what it called reckless violations of fundamental human rights.

The condemnation followed allegations by organisers that Police deployed over 10 Mobile Police vehicles to prevent participants from accessing their privately rented venue.

One of the organisers, in a video posted by African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Sulaiman Uwaisu Idris, accused the Police of obstructing the meeting.

He said the gathering was in a private, enclosed facility paid for by members to exercise their civic rights.

“Over 10 vehicles of Mobile Police have been stationed here in order to prevent us from accessing the private venue, which we pay our private monies to gather here and do and exercise our civic rights,” he said.

The organiser alleged that Kano Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, called him on Saturday demanding to be briefed about the meeting.

He said he told the CP the meeting would be peaceful and enclosed, arguing that Police permission was not required under Sections 35, 39 and 40 of the Constitution.

He accused the Police of acting for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and asked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu to explain the deployment.

Idris also claimed on X that several Police vehicles were stationed at the venue and that organisers, including Abba Hikima, were denied access.

Amnesty said supporters of all parties and candidates have the right to organise peaceful political activities regardless of affiliation.

“The duty of the Police is to facilitate peaceful conduct of such political gatherings — no matter the political party or candidate being supported or opposed,” it said, warning that the Kano incident reflects a troubling pattern of repression against opposition members that could create fear and undermine free association ahead of 2027.