Sokoto ADC candidate escapes as gunmen attack convoy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has alleged that gunmen attacked his convoy near the Sokoto Airport, forcing him to flee for safety.

Dan’iya said the incident occurred at about 9pm on Friday after he had escorted former Governor and Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the airport for a trip to Abuja.

In a statement issued through his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, the candidate alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps blocked his convoy and refused to allow it to pass.

He claimed the security personnel told members of his team that they had received orders from their superiors not to allow ADC members into Sokoto.

According to him, the confrontation escalated, with gunshots allegedly fired at the convoy. One of the vehicles was reportedly smashed and damaged, while two Department of State Services (DSS) officers attached to his team were detained.

Dan’iya said he managed to escape from the scene.

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He also alleged that earlier on Friday, vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions had been stopped at entry points into the state.

The candidate said he had reported the incident to the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police and called for investigations by the Commissioner, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS.

He also demanded the immediate release of the two detained DSS officers and urged authorities to preserve relevant surveillance footage, operational records, firearm reports and witness accounts to aid the investigation.

Dan’iya called on the Sokoto State Government to clarify the alleged actions of the security personnel and ensure that security agencies remained politically neutral.

He urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

Efforts to get a response from the Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls seeking his reaction.