The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has reportedly escaped unharmed after gunshots were fired during a confrontation involving his convoy near Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, prompting allegations of political intimidation and demands for an independent investigation.
The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026, shortly after Dan’iya accompanied former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport. Vehicles in the candidate’s convoy reportedly sustained damage, although no injuries to Dan’iya were reported.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed receiving a report concerning the incident. Its spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the command had commenced investigations to establish what happened and determine whether any criminal offences were committed.
Rufae indicated that the police would communicate their findings after examining the available information. He also said anyone found responsible for unlawful conduct would face appropriate legal consequences.
However, the police confirmation did not independently establish the identities of those who fired the shots or substantiate allegations that the confrontation was politically motivated.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya accused personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and Sokoto State Community Guard Corps of obstructing his convoy before the shooting.
According to the candidate, the operatives prevented his vehicles from passing through the airport area and claimed they were acting on instructions from their superiors.
He alleged that the instructions were intended to prevent ADC members from entering Sokoto State, an assertion that has not been independently verified.
Dan’iya maintained that members of his security team attempted to resolve the confrontation peacefully but were unsuccessful.
He alleged that gunshots were subsequently fired, damaging bulletproof sport utility vehicles accompanying him.
The politician also claimed that two Department of State Services operatives attached to his security detail were detained during the confrontation.
The circumstances surrounding their reported detention remain unclear, and no independent confirmation of their custody status was available.
Dan’iya described the incident as a serious threat to his personal safety and an unacceptable development in the state's political environment.
He questioned whether security personnel should be permitted to obstruct lawful political activities or use force against individuals exercising their constitutional rights.
“No one should be above the law, and no security outfit should be used to threaten political opponents,” he declared.
The ADC candidate said he had visited the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police to formally report the incident and request intervention.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services and other relevant authorities to investigate the confrontation.
His demands included identifying those responsible for the shooting, establishing whether unlawful instructions had been issued and determining the circumstances surrounding the reported detention of security personnel.
He also requested the preservation of video recordings, operational records, eyewitness accounts and other evidence that could assist investigators.
Such materials could help establish the sequence of events, identify individuals present and clarify whether firearms were discharged unlawfully.
Dan’iya further 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 displaying ADC inscriptions were stopped from entering Sokoto, raising concerns about possible restrictions targeting opposition supporters.
The police spokesperson, however, said the command could not confirm the separate allegation that ADC members were being prevented from entering the state.
The distinction is important because the police have acknowledged an incident requiring investigation without confirming the candidate's allegations against specific security organisations.
At the time of reporting, the Sokoto State Government, Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard Corps had not publicly presented detailed responses addressing Dan’iya's accusations.
Their accounts will be important in establishing whether the personnel identified by the candidate were involved and what instructions governed their deployment.
Dan’iya challenged the state government to clarify the alleged directives and ensure that security organisations operate within the law.
He argued that political participation should not depend on affiliation with the party controlling the state government.
“Sokoto is not the property of any government or political party,” he said, insisting that citizens must be allowed to move freely and engage in lawful political activities.
The controversy comes as Nigerian political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, increasing scrutiny of security arrangements surrounding opposition activities.
The ADC has sought to strengthen its political presence nationally, attracting prominent politicians and supporters seeking an alternative to the governing All Progressives Congress.
Tambuwal, whom Dan’iya had accompanied to the airport, previously governed Sokoto State and remains an influential figure in northern Nigerian politics.
His presence provides context for the political gathering preceding the confrontation, although available reports do not establish that he was targeted or directly involved in the incident.
Political violence and intimidation remain important concerns in Nigeria's electoral environment, particularly when security institutions are accused of favouring particular parties.
The Constitution protects freedom of movement, expression and peaceful political association, subject to lawful restrictions.
Security personnel also have responsibilities to maintain public order and protect individuals regardless of their political affiliations.
Determining whether those responsibilities were breached requires credible evidence rather than accusations alone.
The reported involvement of state security organisations raises additional questions about operational accountability and coordination with federal law enforcement agencies.
Any investigation must distinguish between authorised security duties, possible misconduct by individual personnel and allegations of politically directed interference.
The reported detention of DSS operatives, if confirmed, would also require clarification because it concerns personnel attached to a federal security institution.
Dan’iya appealed to federal authorities, the National Assembly and human rights organisations to monitor developments and support an impartial investigation.
Despite his allegations, he urged supporters to remain calm, avoid retaliation and continue pursuing their political objectives through lawful means.
That appeal is significant because confrontations involving political supporters can escalate when competing accounts circulate before investigators establish the facts.
For now, the police investigation remains the principal avenue for determining responsibility.
The immediate questions concern who fired the shots, why the convoy was reportedly stopped, whether security personnel were detained and whether any unlawful political restrictions were imposed.
Dan’iya has maintained that intimidation will not force him or the ADC to abandon their political activities.
The incident nevertheless presents an important test of public confidence in the impartiality of security institutions ahead of the elections.
A transparent investigation, supported by evidence and responses from all implicated parties, will be essential to establishing accountability and preventing further confrontation.
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