The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has reportedly escaped unhurt after gunmen attacked his convoy near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport.
The incident occurred at about 9 p.m. on Friday, 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 sport utility vehicles were reportedly damaged during the shooting.
Confirming that the incident had been reported, the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the command would take necessary action, adding that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
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 had blocked his convoy and prevented it from passing through the airport area.
According to the statement, the personnel claimed they were acting on directives from their superiors not to allow ADC members into Sokoto State. It further alleged that attempts by members of the candidate’s security team to resolve the confrontation failed before gunshots were fired, damaging the bulletproof vehicles.
The statement also claimed that two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to Dan’iya’s security team were detained during the confrontation.
Describing the incident as a threat to his personal safety and democratic freedoms, the ADC candidate alleged that it was part of a broader attempt to restrict the movement and political activities of opposition members in the state.
He claimed that earlier on Friday, his team had observed unusual deployments of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard personnel at various entry points into the state, where vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were allegedly stopped from entering.
Dan’iya said what initially appeared to be routine security operations had raised concerns about a possible attempt to prevent opposition members from accessing the state.
“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, present his account of what transpired 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 establish whether any unlawful directives 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 further 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 undermine the credibility of the democratic process.
He 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, the ADC candidate urged his supporters to remain calm, avoid provocation and refrain from retaliation, insisting that neither intimidation nor violence would make him or the party abandon their constitutional and democratic rights.
He vowed to continue pursuing his political ambition peacefully and lawfully, while calling on security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
As of the time of filing this report, the allegations contained in the ADC statement had not been independently verified. The Sokoto State Government, Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard had also not issued official statements explaining their account of the incident.
Although the police confirmed receiving a report of the incident, further details were still awaited on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the alleged detention of the DSS operatives and the damage to the candidate’s convoy.
