CEFSAN in a statement issued on Saturday by its Executive Director, Yusha'u Sani Yankuzo, Esq, said Abdullahi, an activist from Kunya community, was targeted after he opposed the alleged removal of a community-owned electricity transformer by the Minjibir Local Government Chairman.
The Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has raised the alarm over what it described as the alleged harassment, intimidation and attempted illegal arrest of a community activist, Comrade Habu Hassan Abdullahi, in Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano State.
CEFSAN in a statement issued on Saturday by its Executive Director, Yusha'u Sani Yankuzo, Esq, said Abdullahi, an activist from Kunya community, was targeted after he opposed the alleged removal of a community-owned electricity transformer by the Minjibir Local Government Chairman.
According to the rights group, the incident occurred on January 8, 2026, when the local government authorities allegedly ordered the removal of the transformer “without prior notice, consultation, or adequate explanation” to residents.
“This action reportedly triggered widespread concern and peaceful disagreement among community members,” CEFSAN said, adding that residents feared a repeat of past incidents in which community infrastructure, including a transformer and engine, allegedly disappeared.
CEFSAN said Abdullahi exercised his constitutional right to freedom of expression by questioning the decision, but was subsequently targeted for arrest.
“Comrade Habu Hassan Abdullahi, in the exercise of his constitutional right to freedom of expression and peaceful participation in community affairs, was among those who openly expressed objection to the alleged removal of the transformer,” the statement read.
The group further alleged that following his dissent, the Minjibir Local Government Chairman “connived with the Dambatta Police Area Command to orchestrate the arrest and detention of Comrade Habu without due process of law.”
CEFSAN said it received information indicating that Abdullahi was forced to flee his community after learning of plans to arrest him.
“We are deeply troubled by reports that, upon receiving confidential information suggesting an imminent arrest, Comrade Habu was forced to flee his community for fear of his life and personal safety,” the group said.
It added that police operatives reportedly attempted to arrest the activist but were unable to locate him, raising concerns about his safety and the possibility of further persecution.
CEFSAN condemned what it described as the use of security agencies to silence community voices.
“We strongly condemn any attempt to use state security apparatus to silence community voices, intimidate activists, or criminalize peaceful civic engagement,” the statement said, noting that such actions, if proven, would violate constitutional guarantees and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The organisation called for an immediate end to all forms of harassment against Abdullahi and demanded transparency from local authorities.
Among its demands, CEFSAN asked for “a public clarification from the Minjibir Local Government authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding the removal of the Kunya community transformer” and “an independent investigation into the alleged involvement of the Local Government Chairman and the Dambatta Police Area Command in the reported illegal arrest attempt.”
The group also urged authorities to guarantee the safety and fundamental rights of Abdullahi and residents of Kunya community, stressing the need for consultation and accountability in decisions affecting public utilities.
“We are closely monitoring this situation,” CEFSAN said, warning that “any harm to Comrade Habu Hassan Abdullahi will be strongly resisted and pursued through all lawful national and international human rights mechanisms.”
Meanwhile, efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain a reaction from the Kano State Police Command were unsuccessful; the command's spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, did not answer his calls as of the time of filing this report.
Furthermore, authorities in the Minjibir Local Government Area have yet to respond to the allegations.