Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the immediate dismissal of four aides over their alleged roles in the assault of a serving councillor, following widespread public outrage over the incident.
The aides were disengaged after the completion of investigations into the attack on Abdulrahman Abubakar Sheriff, the councillor representing Shamaki Ward in Gombe Local Government Area.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the councillor was physically assaulted and publicly humiliated by a driver attached to Abubakar Inuwa Kari, the Chief of Staff to the governor. In a video that circulated widely, the councillor was seen sitting on his motorcycle when the driver attacked him, repeatedly punching and hitting him in broad daylight.
Despite pleas from the councillor and concerned bystanders, the attacker continued the assault and reportedly threatened anyone who attempted to intervene. In the footage, the driver was heard speaking in Hausa, questioning whether the councillor considered himself a “mate” of the Chief of Staff, a remark widely condemned as an abuse of power.
Reacting to the incident, the governor set up a special investigative committee, whose findings—backed by security agencies—led to the decision to sack the aides involved.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Ismaila Uba Misilli, said the directive was conveyed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi.
The affected 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), and Ali Ibrahim Baban Kaya (Senior Special Assistant II, Community Relations).
Governor Yahaya ordered that the dismissals take immediate effect and directed the former aides to hand over all government property in their possession without delay.
According to Misilli, the governor reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for violence, misconduct, and abuse of office, stressing that public officials must uphold discipline and respect the rule of law.
