Unsolved Killings, Injuries Force Kano PDP Attack Victims Into Exile as They Seek Asylum Abroad Over Safety Concerns

In 2018, a wave of violence reportedly targeted members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Nasarawa area of Kano State, leaving several party members attacked, maimed, and killed in their homes.

Two years later, in 2020, two of the victims, Yunusa Bashir and Sylvester Tobore, who had returned to their residences, were mysteriously killed by unknown gunmen in separate incidents that occurred around the same period. The killings deepened fears among survivors that the threats against them had not ended.

On September 17th, 2025, another PDP member, Abdullahi Agunbiade, was reportedly killed under similar circumstances after returning to his home. Despite the recurring incidents, no arrests have been made, and the cases remain unresolved.

Amongst victims of this case is a certain Samson Ogunniran who according to investigations by reporters used to live in Mohammed Road in the Nassarawa area of Kano fled for his life and have since not returned. It was later gathered by reporter that multiple threat letter were left in his home. Many similar cases have also been registered with targeted members still on the run for safety with most living currently outside of the states and some seeking asylum in other countries citing concerns for their safety with the unresolved killings and continued threats have raised serious concerns about the security of individuals linked to the attacks.

Investigations reveal that the attacks extended beyond those who lost their lives. Several victims reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries during the violence and were treated in different hospitals, while others lodged complaints with law enforcement authorities, at Kano State Police Command, Bompai. Despite these reports, many of the affected individuals claim they received little protection and have continued to live under fear of further attacks.

Findings further show that a significant number of those who escaped the violence eventually left Nigeria and sought refuge abroad. Many are currently pursuing asylum claims in different countries, arguing that the threats against them remain unresolved and that returning home could expose them to renewed danger.

Accounts obtained from sources familiar with the incident suggest that the attackers were armed with firearms and other dangerous weapons. The assailants reportedly vandalised parts of the property and left behind a threatening message warning that the intended target would be tracked down and killed.

Multiple accounts reviewed during this investigation suggest that the attack was not an isolated occurrence but formed part of a broader pattern of violence and intimidation that affected several political actors and supporters during the period. The prevailing atmosphere of insecurity reportedly forced many individuals associated with the incidents to abandon their homes and relocate.

Documents reviewed by this newspaper indicate that evidence relating to the incident exists, including a copy of the threatening message allegedly recovered from the property, alongside other materials connected to the case and the identities of those involved.

Independent accounts obtained from residents of the area corroborate reports of violence and panic on the night of the attack. Witnesses recalled hearing gunshots, loud commotion, and sounds of forced entry, circumstances that left many residents afraid to leave their homes.

Residents also described an atmosphere of fear that persisted long after the incident. Community members reportedly became increasingly cautious about their movements, while concerns over personal safety grew following reports of threats and attacks against political associates in the area.

Seven years after the initial attacks, survivors and families of victims continue to demand answers. With multiple deaths recorded, numerous injuries sustained, and several affected persons now scattered across different countries seeking asylum, questions remain over why the perpetrators have not been identified and brought to justice.