The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate 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 at about 9pm on October 30, 2026, shortly after Dan’iya escorted former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the shooting damaged the candidate’s bulletproof sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of political actors in the state, with the ADC candidate alleging that security personnel obstructed his convoy before gunshots were fired.
Sokoto Police Confirm Report of Airport Incident
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed receiving a report concerning the incident near the airport.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the police had received information about the incident and would take the necessary action.
He added that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting, including the identity of those responsible and the events that preceded the gunfire, had yet to be independently established as of the time of filing this report.
Dan’iya Alleges Security Personnel Blocked His Convoy
In the statement issued by his media aide, Dan’iya alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard 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.
The statement further alleged that efforts by members of the candidate’s security team to resolve the confrontation were unsuccessful before gunshots were fired, damaging the bulletproof vehicles.
It also claimed that two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to Dan’iya’s security team were detained during the confrontation.
The allegations had not been independently verified, and the Sokoto Marshal, Community Guard and Sokoto State Government had yet to issue official responses explaining their accounts of the incident.
ADC Candidate Raises Concerns Over Alleged Movement Restrictions
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.
According to him, vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were allegedly stopped from entering Sokoto State.
The candidate 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.
He described the reported incident as a threat to his personal safety and warned that political intimidation could undermine democratic freedoms, political participation and peaceful coexistence.
“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,” Dan’iya was quoted as saying.
He added that no security outfit should be used to threaten political opponents.
Dan’iya Reports Incident to Commissioner of Police
The ADC governorship candidate disclosed that he had visited the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police to formally report the incident and present his account of what transpired.
He said he sought the police commissioner’s intervention and called for a thorough investigation into the reported shooting, the alleged obstruction of his convoy and the purported detention of the DSS operatives.
Dan’iya also urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other relevant security authorities to identify those responsible and determine whether any unlawful directives had been issued.
He demanded the immediate release of the two DSS operatives if they remained in custody.
The candidate further called on the authorities to preserve available video footage, operational records, eyewitness accounts and other relevant evidence to support an impartial investigation.
ADC Candidate Calls for Federal Government Intervention
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 State.
He warned that political intimidation and violence could threaten public confidence in the democratic process.
The ADC candidate 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.
His comments followed allegations that individuals associated with the opposition party had encountered restrictions at entry points into the state.
However, no official response from the Sokoto State Government or the security outfits named in the statement was available at the time of filing this report.
Dan’iya Urges Supporters to Remain Calm
Despite the reported shooting, Dan’iya urged his supporters to remain calm, avoid provocation and refrain from retaliation.
He maintained that intimidation and violence would not force him or the ADC to abandon their constitutional and democratic rights.
The candidate said he would continue pursuing his political ambition peacefully and lawfully, while urging security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
Investigation Expected as Questions Remain
The reported shooting has prompted calls for clarification over the circumstances surrounding the confrontation near Sultan Abubakar III International Airport.
Key issues requiring clarification include who fired the gunshots, the extent of the damage to the candidate’s convoy, whether the two DSS operatives were detained and whether any directives restricting the movement of ADC members were issued.
The police have acknowledged receiving a report of the incident and said necessary action would be taken against anyone found culpable.
However, the allegations contained in the ADC statement had yet to be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
The Sokoto State Government, Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard had also yet to provide official accounts of the confrontation.
Further clarification from the relevant authorities is expected to help establish the facts surrounding the reported shooting and determine whether any laws were violated.