The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on the night of October 30, 2026, when gunmen opened fire on his convoy near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport.

The attack occurred around 9 PM, shortly after Dan’iya had dropped off former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, at the airport. Reports indicate that the candidate's convoy, which included bulletproof vehicles, sustained damage from the gunfire.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, who stated that the command had received reports regarding the shooting and would take appropriate action. He emphasized that anyone found responsible would face legal consequences.

In a statement released by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya accused personnel from the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard of blocking his convoy and preventing it from passing through the airport area. The statement alleged that these personnel were acting on orders from their superiors to restrict ADC members' access to Sokoto State.

Attempts by Dan’iya’s security team to resolve the situation reportedly failed, leading to the gunfire that damaged the candidate's vehicles. The statement also claimed that two operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) assigned to Dan’iya's security were detained during the altercation.

Describing the incident as a serious threat to his safety and a potential risk to democratic freedoms in the state, Dan’iya called for an investigation into the events. He visited the state Commissioner of Police to formally report the incident and seek intervention. He urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS to look into the matter and determine if any unlawful orders had been issued.

Dan’iya demanded the immediate release of the detained DSS operatives and called for the preservation of any available evidence, including video footage and eyewitness accounts, to ensure a thorough investigation. He expressed concern over what he described as unusual deployments of security personnel at various entry points into Sokoto, where vehicles with ADC markings were allegedly stopped from entering.

"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 stated. He emphasized that no individual or security agency should be above the law and that political opponents should not be threatened.

Despite the violent encounter, Dan’iya urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid any retaliatory actions, reinforcing his commitment to pursue his political ambitions peacefully. He called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and human rights organizations to pay attention to the escalating security issues in Sokoto, warning that political intimidation could undermine the integrity of the democratic process.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Sokoto State Government, the Sokoto Marshal, or the Community Guard regarding the incident. The police and other relevant authorities are expected to provide clarity on the shooting, the alleged detention of the DSS operatives, and the damage to Dan’iya's convoy.