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Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned Wednesday’s attack on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign convoy in Gombe, describing it as perhaps one of the deadliest acts of political violence since the beginning of campaigning for the 2027 elections.
The rights group made its stance known in a Thursday statement shared on Facebook.
Amnesty said the violence was unleashed on the PDP convoy by suspected thugs along Jekadafari Road, in Gombe.
The organisation noted that the attack appears to have been an attempt to use violence to prevent the governorship candidate of the PDP, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, from entering Gombe town.
“Our findings show that the attackers are suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Amnesty alleged.
Viral videos, according to Amnesty, show the thugs in large numbers and armed, blocking the road with tyres before setting them ablaze.
The thugs also smashed the windscreens of many vehicles, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, was arriving in the state capital for a mega rally and grand reception organised by the Gombe State chapter of the PDP to honour him following the publication of his name on the governorship list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Eyewitnesses said youths stormed the busy road near the family house of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and blocked it with tyres before setting them ablaze, sending thick black smoke into the air and causing panic among motorists, commuters and residents of the densely populated Jekadafari area.
Another group, armed with dangerous weapons, reportedly smashed the windscreens of several vehicles in the motorcade.
Despite the blockade, Pantami’s motorcade, comprising hundreds of vehicles, was able to force its way through and continue the procession to the venue of the rally, where supporters later gathered at the Emir’s Palace for the presentation of flags to party candidates.
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Security personnel deployed to the area later intervened, restored calm, extinguished the fire and cleared the road.
However, no casualty was reported in the incident.
The Gombe State Police Command confirmed the attack on Wednesday.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Buhari Abdullahi said no arrest had been made, but investigation was ongoing.
“There is no arrest made yet, but investigation is ongoing. As you can see, there is adequate deployment of officers there. It was only when the crowd passed a particular point that the thugs began to barricade some of the remaining vehicles and attack them,” Abdullahi said.
He said the command could not ascertain the number of vehicles damaged because no victim had filed a formal complaint.
Amnesty said: “So far, there is no evidence that arrests have been made to ensure violence free political activities.”
The organisation called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that those suspected of responsibility are brought to justice through fair trial.
“Consistent violent attacks on opposition will make it difficult or impossible for them to hold peaceful political activities.
“Violence has no place in democracy. All political parties must give clear directives to their supporters not to engage in any form of violence,” Amnesty said.
Meanwhile, the APC Campaign Council in Gombe State has also accused some PDP supporters of destroying properties belonging to residents and APC members during the political activities, alleging that vehicles, shops and billboards were vandalised, and urging security agencies to investigate.
