The Take It Back Movement (TIB) has raised concerns over what it described as a growing pattern of human rights violations and political repression in Gombe State under the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the group called for an independent, transparent, and public investigation into the alleged abuses. TIB claimed that the violations include violent attacks, unlawful arrests, and prolonged detentions of individuals critical of the state government.

According to the movement, a recently circulated video showing the alleged assault of a serving councillor from Shamaki Ward, Abdulrahman Abubakar Sheriff, by a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor is only one example in a series of similar incidents.

TIB alleged that individuals who express dissent or opposition in the state are routinely harassed, assaulted, or detained, describing the situation as a systematic attempt to suppress freedom of expression and association.

The group recalled the case of its Gombe State Coordinator, Thomas Umar, who was reportedly detained for over a month and subjected to repeated persecution after criticising a lawmaker in the state.

“These incidents risk turning Gombe State into a centre of persistent human rights violations,” Sanyaolu said, adding that past petitions and complaints were allegedly ignored, leaving victims without justice.

TIB specifically demanded a full investigation into several aides of the governor accused of involvement in acts of political repression. Those named include Ali Baban Kaya (SSA), Rabiu B. Goro (Chairman, Governor’s Social Media Team), Muttaka Sha Rubutu (SSA), and Mai Rago (SSA).

The movement also cited the case of Yusuf Babayo Ure, who was allegedly involved in the assault of Haruna Harunfat on December 13, 2025, following a radio interview in which Harunfat criticised the Gombe State Government.

In another incident highlighted, TIB recalled that in January 2023, a Radio Nigeria Jewel FM presenter, Yakubu Halliru, was reportedly arrested and detained for 24 hours after airing a political programme critical of the state government.

Similarly, in March 2022, an Abuja-based businessman and social commentator, Bala Sani, an indigene of Gombe State, was allegedly arrested and detained for nearly two months over Facebook posts described by authorities as “insulting” to the government.

Describing the trend as dangerous, Sanyaolu warned that political violence linked to government appointees poses a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law. He urged the Gombe State Government to demonstrate that it is not complicit in the alleged abuses.

TIB also called on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to urgently intervene and monitor developments in the state to prevent what it described as the normalization of human rights violations.

“The people of Gombe State are entitled to freedom of expression,” the group stated, warning that any attempt to undermine fundamental rights amounts to a direct attack on the rule of law and due process.