The Gombe State Police Command has launched an investigation into an attack on the convoy of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Professor Isa Pantami, allegedly carried out by suspected political thugs.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday in the Jekadafari area of Gombe State as Pantami arrived in the state through a chartered flight and proceeded to meet supporters who had gathered at the Emir’s Palace for a political event where party candidates received their flags.
During the incident, suspected hoodlums allegedly set bonfires and damaged the windscreens of some vehicles in the convoy.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the attack, stating that no arrests had been made while investigations continued.
Speaking during a telephone interview, Abdullahi explained that although security personnel had been deployed to maintain order, some individuals exploited the movement of the crowd to attack vehicles.
“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,” he said.
The police spokesman added that the command could not establish the number of vehicles affected because no victims had formally reported the incident.
“So far, we cannot ascertain the number because none of them has reported to any police station. What we are relying on is the video clip circulating, which we cannot use to authenticate the number of vehicles affected as of now,” he stated.
Abdullahi assured residents that anyone found responsible would face prosecution, reiterating the command’s position against political violence.
He recalled that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Ahmed Chuso, had previously warned political actors and their supporters against engaging in physical or online political intimidation.
“The Gombe State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, has already issued a statement that we are not going to condone any form of political thuggery, be it physical thuggery or social media thuggery,” he said.
He urged anyone with credible information about the attack to assist investigators.
Meanwhile, Pantami, while addressing supporters at the political gathering, criticised his opponents and promised to manage public resources responsibly if elected governor.
“Some are saying that if given a chance, they will share Gombe money, but if we are given the opportunity, we will protect Gombe money,” he declared.
The former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy also made a remark about his emergence into public office, referencing his experience in Madina and contrasting it with that of political figures from Wurono in Jigawa State.
“Thank God I was brought from Madina to be given an appointment, unlike those from Wurono to become governor,” Pantami said.
The police command urged political stakeholders to maintain peace and avoid actions capable of escalating tension as political activities continue in the state.
