Civil society organisations (CSOs), including Amnesty International, Gombe State Network of Civil Society Organisations, have demanded the disengagement of the Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to the Governor of Gombe State, Adamu Danko.

A recent viral video showed him physically assaulting a serving councillor, Abdulrahman Abubakar Sheriff.

The incident, which occurred on December 15, has been described as a “troubling sign of growing impunity and political repression” in the state.

Danko, who is also a driver to the Chief of Staff to the governor, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, was seen repeatedly slapping, punching and headbutting the helpless councillor amid pleas from the victim.

The councillor was accused of making distasteful remarks about the Chief of Staff.

Amnesty International has urged the authorities to investigate the incident and ensure justice for the victim. 

In a statement, the human rights organisation described the assault as outrageous and a reflection of the wider and increasing impunity and repression by Gombe State government officials on people “who show even a slight political dissent.”

The CSOs went on: “Using violence to settle political scores is unacceptable in a free society. This culture of impunity, fostered by the Gombe State government, is suffocating the civic space and endangering lives. 

“The governor’s aide and driver to the chief of staff to the governor, Adamu Danko, was seen in the viral video repeatedly slapping and kicking the councillor, with threats of more violence, while the victim helplessly pleads with him to stop the beatings. 

“The victim was subjected to this horrific treatment at the behest of the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Gombe State.”

Also, the Gombe Network of Civil Society (GONET) in a statement by its chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf, described the attack as “barbaric, unconscionable, and a grave violation of human rights and dignity.”
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The organisation demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. 
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