From Umar Danladi Ado,Sokoto
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has raised the alarm over what he described as a grave threat to his life following an attack on him and his convoy by personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard at the Sokoto Airport area at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday.
The incident reportedly occurred after he escorted Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the airport for his return journey to Abuja following political engagements in Sokoto.
Dan’iya described the incident as a dangerous escalation of political hostility and an unacceptable threat to democratic participation in the state.
In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya said that personnel of the two state security outfits blocked his convoy and refused to allow it to pass, claiming they were acting on orders from above not to allow ADC members into Sokoto.
According to his account, efforts by his security team to resolve the confrontation were unsuccessful, gunshots were fired, his vehicle was smashed, and two Department of State Services (DSS) officers attached to his security team were detained.
Dan’iya said he escaped the incident but regarded the alleged actions as a direct threat to his personal safety. These allegations require urgent, independent investigation by the appropriate authorities.
The ADC candidate further disclosed that earlier on Friday, he and his team had observed an increased presence of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard personnel at entry points into the state, where, according to his account, vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were being stopped from entering Sokoto.
He said the convoy initially understood the deployments to be routine security measures but now fears they may form part of a deliberate attempt to restrict ADC activities and endanger its leadership.
“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.
No one should be above the law, and no security outfit should be used to threaten political opponents,” Dan’iya said.
Dan’iya confirmed that he personally visited the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto to report the incident, present his account of what transpired and seek redress.
He called on the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other relevant authorities to investigate the incident immediately, establish who issued the orders, identify those responsible for any unlawful conduct, and ensure the prompt release of the two detained DSS officers if they remain in custody.
He also demanded that evidence, including available footage, operational records, witness accounts and any relevant firearm reports, be preserved and examined impartially.
The ADC candidate called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, human rights institutions and the international community to pay urgent attention to the situation in Sokoto and support the protection of democratic freedoms.
He urged the Sokoto State Government to publicly clarify the alleged instructions attributed to the security personnel and ensure that state security outfits operate strictly within the law and remain politically neutral.
“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.
Dan’iya declared that neither intimidation nor violence would force him or the ADC to abandon their lawful political activities.
He called on supporters to remain calm, avoid retaliation and allow the relevant authorities to do their work, while insisting that the government bears a responsibility to protect every citizen, regardless of political affiliation.
“We will not be intimidated, and we will not surrender our democratic rights. We will continue to pursue our political mission peacefully and lawfully.
The responsibility now rests with the security agencies to act decisively, protect lives, investigate this incident and ensure that Sokoto does not descend further into political violence,” he declared.
