Seven years after a series of violent attacks allegedly targeted members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State, many survivors have abandoned Nigeria and sought asylum abroad, citing persistent threats to their lives and the failure of authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
The violence, which erupted in 2018 in the Nasarawa area of Kano, reportedly claimed several lives, left many others with serious injuries, and forced numerous residents to flee their homes. Those affected say the attacks were politically motivated and have continued to cast a shadow over their lives.
Rather than subsiding, the violence allegedly continued in the years that followed. In 2020, two PDP members—Yunusa Bashir and Sylvester Tobore—were reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen in separate incidents after returning to their residences. Their deaths heightened fears among other survivors, many of whom had hoped the danger had passed.
Another similar incident was recorded in September 17th, 2025 when Abdullahi Agunbiade, also said to be a PDP member, was reportedly killed after returning home. Like the earlier cases, no suspects have been arrested, and the killing remains unresolved.
The repeated attacks and the absence of successful investigations have driven several survivors to seek refuge outside Nigeria. Many are now pursuing asylum claims in different countries, arguing that returning home would expose them to renewed threats.
Investigations indicate that the 2018 violence extended beyond the fatalities. A number of victims reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries and received treatment in different hospitals. Others made formal reports to the Kano State Police Command in Bompai, but many claim they received little protection despite raising concerns over their safety.
Among those who fled is Samson Ogunniran, formerly of No. 14 Mohammed Road in the Nasarawa area of Kano. Documents reviewed during this investigation indicate that his residence was allegedly attacked during a period of heightened political tension following the 2019 governorship election in the state. Hospital records also show that he was admitted to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital on March 15, 2018, following the incident.
According to accounts from sources familiar with the attack, armed men stormed the residence carrying firearms and other dangerous weapons. Parts of the property were reportedly damaged before the assailants allegedly left behind a handwritten message threatening to hunt down and kill the intended target.
Ogunniran was said to have escaped through another exit as gunshots rang out and the attackers attempted to gain access to the house. His wife and children were reportedly away at the time, a circumstance that may have prevented additional casualties.
Neighbours who arrived after the incident allegedly discovered the threatening message left at the property. Fearing another attack, Ogunniran reportedly relocated his family from the area shortly afterwards.
Accounts gathered from multiple sources suggest that his experience reflected a wider pattern of intimidation and violence that affected several political figures and supporters during the period. The deteriorating security situation reportedly forced many individuals to abandon their homes and relocate to safer locations.
Sources close to the matter insist that the threats against Ogunniran have never ceased and that those responsible for the attack have neither been identified nor prosecuted. The continued lack of arrests has reinforced concerns among survivors that justice remains out of reach.
The consequences of the attacks, investigators found, have extended far beyond physical injuries. Like many others caught up in the violence, Ogunniran reportedly lost his home, source of livelihood, and established social network after fleeing Nigeria in search of safety.
Documents reviewed by this newspaper include materials said to be connected to the case, including a copy of the alleged threat left at the residence and other records relating to the incident.
Independent accounts from residents also corroborate reports of violence on the night of the attack. Witnesses recalled hearing sustained gunfire, loud commotion, and repeated attempts to force entry into the residence, prompting many neighbours to remain indoors until daybreak.
Residents say fear lingered long after the incident, with many becoming increasingly cautious about their movements amid reports of continuing attacks and threats against individuals associated with the political violence.
Years after the first attacks were reported, survivors and the families of those killed continue to seek justice. With several deaths recorded, numerous injuries sustained, and many former residents now scattered across different countries pursuing asylum, unanswered questions remain over why the perpetrators have not been identified or prosecuted despite the passage of time.
