Amnesty Condemns Assault on Gombe Councillor by Governor’s Aide

Amnesty International has condemned the alleged brutal assault on Abdulrahman Abubakar Sheriff, a serving councillor of Shamaki Ward, by a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Gombe State, describing it as a troubling sign of growing impunity and political repression in the state.

The incident occurred on December 15, at about 4:00 pm along Science 2 Road in Gombe metropolis, after the councillor was accused of criticising the Chief of Staff to the Governor. A viral video shows the governor’s aide and driver to the Chief of Staff repeatedly slapping and kicking the councillor while issuing threats of further violence.

Amnesty International says the attack reflects a wider pattern of impunity by Gombe State government officials against people who express even the slightest political dissent. The organisation is calling for accountability and urging Nigerian authorities to investigate the incident and prosecute those responsible.

The Gombe State Government has responded, saying the individual involved acted in a personal capacity and not under the authority of the governor or state government. The government expressed concern over Amnesty International’s “sweeping conclusions and unfounded generalisations” in its statement.

Amnesty International has warned that repeated attacks and intimidation by political appointees and agents of the Gombe State Government have created a “toxic climate of fear” across the state, and is part of a nationwide trend of violent attacks and intimidation against critics and political opponents of state governors.