Amnesty International has strongly condemned the violent attack on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign convoy in Gombe, describing it as a deliberate attempt to use violence to prevent the party’s governorship candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, from entering Gombe town.
In a statement shared on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the global rights organisation said the attack, which occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, along Jekadafari Road in Gombe, was one of the deadliest acts of political violence since campaigns began for the 2027 elections.
Amnesty said its findings showed that the attackers were suspected to be working for the All Progressives Congress (APC). 
Viral videos from the scene showed thugs in large numbers, armed and blocking the road with tyres before setting them ablaze. The thugs, allegedly affiliated with the APC, also smashed the windscreens of many vehicles, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the wanton violence unleashed on People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign convoy by suspected thugs yesterday, 11 November 2026, along Jekadafari Road, in Gombe, in what appears to be an attempt to use violence to prevent the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, from entering Gombe town,” the statement read.
The organisation called on security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that those suspected of responsibility are brought to justice through fair trial.
It lamented that so far, there was no evidence that arrests had been made to ensure violence-free political activities.
“Consistent violent attacks on opposition will make it difficult or impossible for them to hold peaceful political activities,” Amnesty warned.
The rights group stressed that violence has no place in democracy and urged all political parties to give clear directives to their supporters not to engage in any form of violence.
