Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has dismissed four of his aides following their involvement in the physical assault of a local councillor, Abdulrahman Abubakar Sheriff. The decision came after a thorough investigation into the attack, which sparked public outrage.

The incident occurred when Sheriff, the councillor representing Shamaki Ward in Gombe Local Government Area, was assaulted by a driver attached to the Chief of Staff, Abubakar Inuwa Kari. The attack, which took place in broad daylight, was captured on video and showed the councillor being punched and struck repeatedly while sitting on his motorcycle.

In the video, the councillor is heard pleading for the assault to stop, while bystanders also urged the driver to calm down. However, the driver, who seemed unprovoked, ignored all pleas and became more aggressive. At one point, he is heard shouting in Hausa, questioning whether the councillor considered himself a “mate” of the Chief of Staff for acting in a way he found disrespectful. Despite the ongoing pleas, the driver continued the assault without restraint.

The attack quickly became the subject of public outcry, with many condemning the brutality displayed by the driver. Following the incident, a special committee was set up to investigate the matter, and their findings, corroborated by security agencies, led to the immediate dismissal of the aides involved.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor’s spokesperson, confirmed the sackings. The dismissed aides are:

• Adamu Abdullahi Danko, Senior Special Assistant II (Domestic)
• Garba Mohammed Mai Rago, Senior Special Assistant II (Political)
• Rabiu Sulaiman Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant II (Social Media)
• Ali Ibrahim Baban Kaya, Senior Special Assistant II (Community Relations)

Governor Yahaya directed that the dismissed aides immediately hand over all government property in their possession. The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s “zero tolerance for violence, misconduct, and abuse of office.”

The assault on Councillor Sheriff and the subsequent dismissal of the aides highlight the governor’s commitment to maintaining discipline and accountability within his administration.