The Kano State chapter of the Kwankwasiyya Movement has petitioned the Department of State Services over alleged cyberbullying, online harassment and coordinated defamatory attacks against its members.
In a petition dated April 9, 2026, and addressed to the Director of the DSS in Kano, the group accused some individuals, including aides of the Kano State Government, of allegedly orchestrating attacks against prominent figures within the movement.
Those mentioned in the petition include the spokesperson to the Kano State Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa; an APC youth leader, Salisu Yahaya Hotoro; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Ibrahim Adam; and a Senior Special Reporter to the Governor, Nuhu Dambazau, among others.
The group alleged that the individuals were involved in persistent online harassment and defamatory campaigns targeting the leader of the movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo; Senator Rufai Sani Hanga; and Muhammad Samir Hanga.
According to the petition, the alleged activities were carried out across various social media platforms, particularly Facebook, where the affected individuals were subjected to what the group described as sustained attacks.
The movement urged the DSS to investigate the matter and take appropriate action against those found culpable, noting that such actions could threaten public peace and political stability in the state.
However, reacting to the development on Saturday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed that he and three others were invited and subsequently granted bail by the DSS over the matter.
“My humble self, along with three others—namely Salisu Yahaya Hotoro, Ibrahim Adam and Hon. Nuhu Dambazau—were released on bail by the DSS Kano State Command over a petition filed by Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on alleged cyber crimes, intimidation and defamation of his character,” he said.
He added, “We were under the custody of the DSS for four hours and finally released on bail based on self-recognition. Sen. Kwankwaso is set to present the matter before the court.”
