The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has reportedly escaped unhurt after suspected gunmen opened fire on his convoy near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on Friday night.
The incident reportedly occurred around 9pm on October 30, 2026, shortly after Dan’iya had escorted former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport.
The candidate’s bulletproof sports utility vehicles were reportedly damaged in the shooting.
The Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, confirmed that the command had received a report of the incident, adding that necessary action would be taken.
He said anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
However, in a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard blocked his convoy near the airport and prevented it from passing through the area.
According to the statement, the personnel claimed they were acting on directives from their superiors not to allow ADC members into Sokoto State.
The statement alleged that efforts by members of the candidate’s security team to resolve the confrontation were unsuccessful before gunshots were fired, damaging his bulletproof vehicles.
It further claimed that two operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to Dan’iya’s security team were detained during the incident.
Describing the development as a threat to his personal safety and democratic freedoms, the ADC candidate expressed concern that the incident could undermine political participation and peaceful coexistence in the state.
Dan’iya also alleged that his team had observed unusual deployments of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard personnel at several entry points into the state earlier on Friday, where vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were reportedly prevented from entering.
He said what initially appeared to be routine security operations had raised concerns about a possible attempt to restrict the movement and political activities of opposition members.
“If security personnel can block a gubernatorial candidate, fire gunshots during a confrontation, damage his vehicle and detain officers assigned to his protection, then the people of Sokoto deserve urgent answers.
“No one should be above the law, and no security outfit should be used to threaten political opponents,” Dan’iya was quoted as saying.
The candidate disclosed that he had visited the Commissioner of Police in the state to formally report the incident and seek intervention.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other relevant security authorities to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and determine whether any unlawful orders had been issued.
He also demanded the immediate release of the two DSS operatives, if they remained in custody, and urged investigators to preserve available video footage, operational records, eyewitness accounts and other evidence for an impartial investigation.
Dan’iya appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, human rights organisations and the international community to pay attention to the security situation in Sokoto, warning that political intimidation and violence could threaten the credibility of the democratic process.
He also challenged the Sokoto State Government to clarify the alleged directives attributed to the security personnel and ensure that state-controlled security outfits operated within the law and without political interference.
“Sokoto is not the property of any government or political party. Every Nigerian has the right to enter the state, move freely and participate in lawful political activities. Any order intended to exclude ADC members from Sokoto would be unacceptable and must be investigated,” he said.
Despite the incident, Dan’iya urged his supporters to remain calm, avoid provocation and refrain from retaliation, insisting that neither intimidation nor violence would force him or the ADC to abandon their constitutional and democratic rights.
He vowed to continue pursuing his political ambition peacefully and lawfully, while urging security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
The allegations contained in the ADC statement had yet to be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
There was also no official response from the Sokoto State Government, the Sokoto Marshal or the Community Guard on the allegations.
The police and other relevant security authorities are expected to provide further clarification on the reported shooting, the alleged detention of the DSS operatives and the damage to the candidate’s convoy.
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