On Friday night, October 30, 2026, at approximately 9 pm, suspected gunmen attacked the convoy of Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate in Sokoto State. The incident occurred near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, 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 damaged in the shooting.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident and stated that it would take necessary action. The command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law. 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, claiming they were acting on directives from their superiors not to allow ADC members into Sokoto State.
According to Dan'iya's media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, attempts by members of Dan'iya's security team to resolve the confrontation failed before gunshots were fired, damaging the candidate's bulletproof vehicles. The statement also claimed that two Department of State Services operatives attached to the candidate's security team were detained during the confrontation. Dan'iya described the incident as a threat to his personal safety and a development capable of undermining democratic freedoms, political participation, and peaceful coexistence in the state.
Dan'iya alleged 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. 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. The candidate disclosed that he had visited the Commissioner of Police in the state to formally report the incident.
The ADC candidate demanded an investigation into the incident, identification of those responsible, and determination of whether any unlawful orders had been issued. He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and other relevant security authorities to investigate the incident. Dan'iya also demanded the immediate release of the two DSS operatives, if they remained in custody, and urged the authorities 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 organizations, 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. The ADC candidate 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.
Despite the incident, Dan'iya urged his supporters to remain calm, avoid provocation, and refrain from retaliation, insisting that neither intimidation nor violence would make him or the ADC abandon their constitutional and democratic rights. He said he would continue to pursue his political ambition peacefully and lawfully, while urging security agencies to protect citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
Key points
- The incident occurred near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto State on Friday night, October 30, 2026.
- The ADC candidate demanded an investigation into the incident and identification of those responsible.
- Dan'iya urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid provocation.
