Gunmen attack ADC guber candidate’s convoy in Sokoto, candidate escapes

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO– The governorship prospect of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has actually apparently left unhurt after presumed shooters opened fire on his convoy near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on Friday night.

The occurrence took place at about 9pm on October 30, 2026, quickly after Dan’iya had actually accompanied previous Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport.

The prospect’s bulletproof sports energy lorries were apparently harmed in the shooting.

Validating the event, the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, stated the command had actually gotten a report of the occurrence at the airport and would take essential action.

He included that anybody discovered culpable would be handled in accordance with the law.

In a declaration released by his media assistant, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya declared that workers of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard obstructed his convoy and avoided it from going through the airport location.

According to the declaration, the workers declared they were acting upon regulations from their superiors not to enable ADC members into Sokoto State.

It even more declared that efforts by members of Dan’iya’s security group to solve the fight stopped working before gunshots were fired, harming the prospect’s bulletproof cars.

The declaration likewise declared that 2 Department of State Services (DSS) operatives connected to the prospect’s security group were apprehended throughout the fight.

Dan’iya explained the event as a risk to his individual security and an advancement efficient in weakening democratic flexibilities, political involvement and tranquil coexistence in the state.

The ADC prospect likewise declared that earlier on Friday, his group had actually observed uncommon releases of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard workers at different entry points into the state, where cars bearing ADC engravings were apparently stopped from going into.

He stated what at first seemed regular security operations had actually raised issues about a possible effort to limit the motion and political activities of opposition members.

“If security workers can obstruct a gubernatorial prospect, fire gunshots throughout a conflict, damage his lorry and apprehend officers appointed to his defense, then individuals of Sokoto should have immediate responses.

“No one must be above the law, and no security attire need to be utilized to threaten political challengers,” Dan’iya was priced quote as stating.

The prospect divulged that he had actually gone to the Commissioner of Police in the state to officially report the occurrence, present his account of what taken place and look for intervention.

He got in touch with the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other appropriate security authorities to examine the occurrence, determine those accountable and identify whether any illegal orders had actually been provided.

Dan’iya likewise required the instant release of the 2 DSS operatives, if they stayed in custody, and advised the authorities to protect readily available video footage, functional records, eyewitness accounts and other proof for an objective examination.

He attracted the Federal Government, the National Assembly, human rights organisations and the worldwide neighborhood to take note of the security circumstance in Sokoto, cautioning that political intimidation and violence might threaten the reliability of the democratic procedure.

The ADC prospect likewise challenged the Sokoto State Government to clarify the supposed regulations credited to the security workers and make sure that state-controlled security clothing ran within the law and without political disturbance.

“Sokoto is not the residential or commercial property of any federal government or political celebration. Every Nigerian can go into the state, relocation easily and take part in legal political activities. Any order planned to leave out ADC members from Sokoto would be inappropriate and need to be examined,” he stated.

Regardless of the occurrence, Dan’iya advised his advocates to stay calm, prevent justification and avoid retaliation, firmly insisting that neither intimidation nor violence would make him or the ADC desert their constitutional and democratic rights.

He stated he would continue to pursue his political aspiration quietly and legally, while prompting security companies to safeguard people regardless of their political associations.

The accusations included in the ADC declaration had yet to be individually validated since the time of filing this report.

There was likewise no main action from the Sokoto State Government, the Sokoto Marshal or the Community Guard discussing their account of the event.

The cops and other appropriate security authorities are anticipated to clarify the situations surrounding the reported shooting, the supposed detention of the DSS operatives and the damage to the prospect’s convoy.