Pantami's convoy attacked in Gombe — Amnesty blames suspected APC thugs, police say no arrests yet
Photo: Stills from videos of the attack on Pantami's convoy in Gombe, 11 Nov 2026 · Photo: Global Tracker
Burning tyres, smashed windscreens and no arrests yet — the second opposition event attacked in two days, and now Amnesty has put its name to an accusation.
Key points
- Suspected political thugs attacked vehicles in the convoy of PDP governorship candidate Prof. Isa Ali Pantami in Jekadafari, Gombe, on Wednesday 11 November, blocking the road with burning tyres and shattering windscreens.
- Gombe police confirmed the attack on Thursday and said investigations had begun, but no arrests had been made. No casualties have been officially confirmed.
- Amnesty International condemned the attack and said its findings showed the attackers were suspected to be working for the APC. That is Amnesty's finding, not an established fact; the APC has counter-accused PDP supporters.
Suspected political thugs attacked vehicles in the convoy of PDP governorship candidate Prof. Isa Ali Pantami in Jekadafari, Gombe, on Wednesday 11 November, shortly after his arrival in the state for a grand reception and rally following INEC's publication of his name on the governorship candidates list.
Witnesses said attackers set bonfires and blocked the road with burning tyres and shattered windscreens. The attack happened near the family residence of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Gombe police spokesman Buhari Abdullahi confirmed the attack on Thursday and said investigations had begun, but no arrests had been made and the number of damaged vehicles could not be confirmed. No casualties have been officially confirmed.
On Thursday, Amnesty International condemned the attack as “one of the most disturbing acts of political violence since preparations for the 2027 general elections began”, saying its findings showed the attackers were suspected to be working for the APC and calling for arrests. That attribution is Amnesty's finding; the attackers' identities and affiliations have not been independently established.
The APC Campaign Council in Gombe has accused PDP supporters of destroying properties belonging to residents and APC members. That counter-accusation has not been verified either. Pantami is a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
Why this matters
It is the second opposition event attacked in two days, and Amnesty International has now put its name to an accusation against ruling-party supporters — which the APC denies by counter-accusation.
Latest developments
First published 12 Nov 2026, 19:18 WAT.
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- “Ba ma yi, ba ma so” — Tinubu booed at Abuja mosque; Presidency denies convoy stoning · 14 Nov 2026, 08:20 WAT
- “Only Nigeria's speech was cut out” — Fani-Kayode accuses South African Presidency of deliberate snub; Pretoria fires back · 14 Nov 2026, 08:20 WAT
Sources
- Naija News — Thugs attack Pantami's convoy (12 Nov 2026)
- Daily Post — Gombe: Pantami's campaign convoy comes under attack, Amnesty International reacts (12 Nov 2026)
- Global Tracker — Amnesty International condemns attack on Pantami's convoy, demands suspects' arrest (12 Nov 2026)
- The New Citizen — Police probe attack on Pantami's convoy in Gombe (12 Nov 2026)
Amnesty's claim that the attackers were “suspected to be working for the APC” is Amnesty's finding, not an established fact. No casualties have been officially confirmed. The APC counter-accusation is also unverified.