Fearless October Protests: Coalition Reports Arrest of Leaders in Kano

As Nigeria approaches the planned nationwide protest on October 1, a coalition of civil society groups, operating under the banner of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement (NPFM), Northern chapter, has alleged the arrest of five of its leaders in Kano State.

In a statement signed by Comrade Al-Amin on behalf of the NPFM Secretariat, the coalition named the arrested individuals as Comrade Abdulmajid Daudu, Barrister Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Barrister Amina Bello, Comrade Sani NaRogo, and Comrades Anas and Abdullahi.

The coalition claimed the five leaders were apprehended by the police and transported to Abuja on the orders of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

“Comrade Abdulmajid Yakubu Daudu left his office this afternoon (Monday) at around 2:30 p.m. to attend a meeting with the Kano State Commissioner of Police at the Bompai Headquarters,” the statement explained. “He was accompanied by four other NPFM members. As of 7:42 p.m., they had not returned, and their whereabouts remain unknown.”

Efforts to contact the missing comrades have been unsuccessful. The coalition called on supporters nationwide to raise awareness and demand their immediate release.

“No one should overlook the disappearance of Comrade Abdulmajid and his colleagues. The growing political repression in the country makes it critical that the Kano State Commissioner of Police is held accountable for their whereabouts,” the statement further stressed.

The arrests come shortly after the group held a press conference in Kano over the weekend, announcing plans for the October 1 National Survival Day protest. The protest is centered around widespread grievances, including the high cost of living and alleged mismanagement by the government.

During the press conference, Comrade Abdulmajid outlined key demands, including addressing soaring fuel prices, rampant food inflation, excessive government spending, systemic corruption, enduring insecurity, and the re-nationalization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) and electricity distribution companies (DISCOs).

The coalition expressed concern that the arrests may be an attempt to stifle dissent ahead of the planned demonstrations.