A female activist based in Kano has backed out of protests in the Northern States of Nigeria after being questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.
In a Facebook post on Saturday after her session with the DSS, Zainab Naseer Ahmad announced in a Facebook post that she is backing out because she was “worried about the safety of people and I don’t want anyone hurt due to such action.”
The activist was one of the conveners of the protests against insecurity in Kano State was invited for questioning over her role in the protest.
Hundreds of youths on Friday, marched across the states in the north in frustration over the worsening insecurity that has resulted in the loss of many lives.
The latest incident is the horrible killing of at least 23 people in Sokoto.
On Monday, bandits ambushed a 42-seater bus in Sabon Birni, Sokoto, opening fire on the occupants.
State media houses report that the bus caught fire during the fierce shooting during which the 23 passengers died while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
Unknown gunmen killed a serving Commissioner in his home in Katsina State on Wednesday while no fewer than 9 persons were murdered by attackers in Niger State in the early hours Thursday, during prayers. .
That attack also left several people injured.
When Zainab was arrested and detained, Amnesty International Nigeria protested her detention and asked the government to release her as was only speaking up for the oppressed.
In a post monitored on Facebook, the rights group said that, “Amnesty International condemns the detention of activist Zainab Naseer Ahmad by the DSS.
“She is one of the conveners of the protest against rampant insecurity held today Kano. We call on Nigerian authorities to immediately release Zainab Naseer Ahmad — who has done nothing more than speaking up for the protection of right to life. Her arrest appears to be an attempt to intimidate and harass both her and other Nigerians who refused to be silent in the face of failure of the government to protect lives.“
Giving reasons for succumbing to pressure, Zainab Naseer Ahmad said that, “I want to let people know that from today I’m dissociating myself from the protest that started today.
“Im kindly advising my Kano people to stay away from tomorrow’s protest. I’m aware of some issues and I’m worried about the safety of people and i don’t want anyone to be hurt due to such action.
“It could be very risk for people to protest tomorrow in Kano due to the information I heard about the plans to hijack and cause chaos for some political interest. I advice us to stay at home for our SAFETY. I was invited for a friendly discussion by the DSS It is not about me or you rather the interest of the state. Peace“
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