BREAKING: ADC Governorship Candidate Escapes Gun Attack on Convoy in Sokoto

Manir Muhammad Dan’iya alleges that security personnel blocked his convoy before gunshots damaged his bulletproof vehicles and two DSS operatives were detained

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, 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.

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The incident occurred at about 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.

Although the candidate was not injured, his bulletproof sports utility vehicles were reportedly damaged during the shooting.

Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the command had received a report of the incident at the airport and would take necessary action.

He added that anyone found responsible 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 initially 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 disagreement 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.

The ADC candidate described the incident as a threat to his personal safety and a development that could undermine democratic freedoms, political participation and peaceful coexistence in the state.

He also alleged that earlier on Friday, his team had observed unusual deployments of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard personnel at different entry points into the state.

According to him, vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were allegedly stopped from entering Sokoto, raising concerns about possible restrictions on 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, present his account of what happened 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 unlawful directives had been issued.

Dan’iya also demanded the immediate release of the two DSS operatives, if they remained in custody, while urging investigators to preserve available video footage, operational records, eyewitness accounts and other relevant evidence.

He 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 confidence in the democratic process.

The ADC candidate further 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.

“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.

He maintained that neither intimidation nor violence would make him or the ADC abandon their constitutional rights, insisting that he would continue pursuing his political ambition peacefully and lawfully.

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He also urged security agencies to protect residents and political actors irrespective of their party affiliations.