Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the attack on the Gombe State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Isa Pantami.
In a statement on Thursday, Amnesty described the attack as perhaps one of the deadliest acts of political violence since the beginning of campaigning for the 2027 elections.
The rights group said the violence was unleashed on the PDP convoy in what appears to be an attempt to use violence to prevent Pantami from entering Gombe town.
“Our findings show that the attackers are suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress, APC,” Amnesty alleged.
According to the organisation, viral videos show the thugs in large numbers and armed, blocking the road with tyres before setting them ablaze.
Amnesty expressed concern that, so far, there is no evidence that arrests have been made to ensure violence-free political activities.
Recall that tension boiled over in Gombe on Wednesday after suspected thugs attacked the campaign convoy of Pantami and tried to stop him from entering the state capital.
The attack happened along Jekadafari Road in Gombe, near the family residence of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy was reportedly on his way to 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.
The thugs were said to have stormed the busy road, blocked it with tyres and set them ablaze.
The burning tyres sent thick black smoke into the air and caused panic among motorists, commuters and residents of the Jekadafari area, bringing vehicular movement on the road to a complete standstill.
According to reports, another group of youths, armed with dangerous weapons, also smashed the windscreens of several vehicles in the motorcade, sparking panic among supporters and other road users.
Meanwhile, despite the blockade, Pantami’s motorcade forced its way through the smoke and continued its procession to the venue of the rally.