The disturbing revelations of gross human rights violations taking place in Gombe state under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration must be investigated transparently and effectively, to ensure justice for all victims of a pattern of social and political repression depriving people of the right to freedom of association and expression.
A statement issued today by Take It Back Movement (TIB) and signed by the National Coordinator of the movement Juwon Sanyaolu calls for an independent and impartial investigation to be carried out publicly to allow all victims of political violence to make submission without fear or intimidation.
Take It Back (TIB) is deeply disturbed by rampant cases of attacks on people who express legitimate dissent or opposition. According to the findings of TIB, the recent viral video of the brutal assault on a serving councillor of Shamaki Ward, Abdulrahman Abubakar Sheriff, by a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Gombe State is just one of many such cases in which people are violently attacked and harassed solely for expressing dissent.
We recall an incident involving our state coordinator, Thomas Umar who spent over a month in prison, including repeated persecution for expressing dissent against a lawmaker in Gombe state.
“These incidents risk making Gombe state a pariah and an enclave of human rights violations. Time is running out for Governor Inuwa Yahaya to end this reign of brutal assaults. Investigation shows that previous complaints and petitions about these incidents have been either not acted upon or entirely ignored, thus leaving the victims with the pains of injuries and lack of justice,” Juwon Sanyaolu said
We demand full investigation, and prosecution of Governor Yahaya Inuwa’s aides, Ali Baban Kaya SSA, Rabiu B Goro Chairman Governors Social Media, Muttaka Sha Rubutu SSA and Mai Rago SSA face investigation over reported cases of human rights violations. Involvement of these individuals in too many cases of political repression must not be swept under the carpet.
The case of Yusuf Babayo Ure who assaulted Haruna Harunfat on 13th dcemeber 2025 because of the radio interview he did criticising gombe state government must also be effectively investigated.
In January 2023, Yakubu Halliru, a local radio presenter with Radio Nigeria Jewel FM Gombe was arrested on the orders of the state government over a political programme aired on the radio station and detained unlawfully for 24 hours.
In March 2022, an Abuja-based businessman and social critic, Bala Sani, an indigene of Gombe State was arrested and detained for ttwo months over alleged Facebook posts that Gombe state government described as ‘insulting.’ Bala Sani was unlawfully arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and detained at Karu Divisional Police Office.
“This dangerous trend of political violence in Gombe state, particularly by government appointees is unacceptable. That the recent assault was carried out by a person who works directly with the Chief of Staff to the Governor makes it urgent and important for Gombe state government to prove that it is not behind these atrocities.” Juwon Sanyaolu added.
Take It Back also urges the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to pay attention to what is going on in Gombe state and to ensure that human rights violations do not become an informal policy of Gombe state government.
“People of Gombe state are entitled to freedom of expression. Any attempt to deprive people of any of the fundamental human rights is an attack on rule of law and due process,” said Juwon Sanyaolu.
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