Youths Set Tyres Ablaze, Block Road as Pantami Enters Gombe for PDP Rally

Some youths on Tuesday reportedly set tyres ablaze and mounted roadblocks along Jekadafari Road, near the family residence of Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, in an alleged attempt to prevent former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, from entering Gombe town.

The incident occurred as Pantami arrived in the state capital ahead of a mega rally organised in his honour by the Gombe State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The rally was organised following the publication of Pantami’s name on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) list of governorship candidates.

Eyewitnesses said the youths blocked the busy road with tyres before setting them on fire, sending thick black smoke into the air and causing panic among motorists, commuters and residents of the densely populated area.

The blockade reportedly disrupted vehicular movement for several minutes, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.

Traders and shop owners in the area were also said to have hurriedly shut their businesses over fears that the situation could escalate into a clash between rival political groups.

Despite the disruption, Pantami’s motorcade, which reportedly comprised hundreds of vehicles, made its way through the area and continued to the rally venue.

Supporters accompanying the former minister were heard chanting solidarity songs as the procession navigated the smoke-filled road.

However, another group of youths allegedly armed with dangerous weapons reportedly attacked some vehicles in the motorcade, smashing their windscreens and causing panic among supporters and other road users.

Security personnel deployed to the area subsequently intervened to restore order, extinguish the burning tyres and clear the road for normal traffic.

A resident, Sani Balarabe, described the incident as frightening, saying residents were caught unawares by the sudden blockade.

“We were just going about our normal business when we saw the youths blocking the road. Everybody was scared because we did not know what would happen next,” Balarabe said.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Pantami nor his aides had issued an official statement on the alleged attack.

No casualty had also been officially confirmed, while the Gombe State Police Command was yet to release a statement on the incident.

Residents have called on political leaders in the state to caution their supporters against actions capable of disrupting public peace, warning that political disagreements should not threaten Gombe’s longstanding atmosphere of peaceful coexistence.