Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan'iya, the All Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor in Sokoto State, Nigeria, has alleged that his life is in danger following an incident involving his convoy near the Sokoto airport on the night of October 30, 2026. According to Dan'iya, the incident occurred around 9 pm, shortly after he escorted Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the airport for his return to Abuja.
Dan'iya's aide on information, Aminu Abdullahi, released a statement accusing Sokoto Marshal operatives of blocking his convoy and preventing them from entering the state. The operatives reportedly claimed they were acting on orders from their superiors to prevent ADC members from entering Sokoto. Despite efforts by Dan'iya's security personnel to resolve the situation, gunshots were fired, and his vehicle was damaged.
Dan'iya further alleged that the security operatives detained two Department of State Services (DSS) officials who were part of his team. However, he escaped unharmed. The candidate claimed that his team had observed an increased presence of Sokoto Marshal operatives at the state's entrance earlier that day, leading them to suspect that ADC supporters and political activities were being targeted.
In response to the incident, Dan'iya reported the matter to the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, seeking police intervention, as well as the Director of DSS and the Inspector-General of Police, to investigate and ensure the release of the detained DSS officials. He also requested that footage and evidence from the incident be preserved.
Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufae, confirmed that the command had received a report of the incident and would take necessary actions. Rufae assured that anyone found guilty would be prosecuted according to the law. As of the time of reporting, the Sokoto State government and mentioned security agencies had not issued a comprehensive response to Dan'iya's allegations.
The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in Sokoto State, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections. Dan'iya has urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid taking revenge. The ADC candidate's allegations have also sparked calls for an independent investigation into the incident.
The development is expected to heighten tensions in Sokoto State's political landscape. Key stakeholders, including the government and security agencies, are expected to take a closer look at the situation to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Key points
- ADC governorship candidate Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan'iya alleges threat to life after convoy incident at Sokoto airport.
- Dan'iya claims Sokoto Marshal operatives blocked his convoy and prevented them from entering the state, leading to gunshots and damage to his vehicle.
- The incident has sparked calls for an independent investigation and raised concerns about the security situation in Sokoto State.
