The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has reportedly escaped unhurt after suspected gunmen opened fire on his convoy near the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport on Friday night.

The incident occurred on Friday night shortly after Dan’iya had escorted former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport.

The shooting damaged the candidate’s bulletproof sport utility vehicles.

Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufae, said the command had received a report of the incident and would take necessary action, adding that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

However, in a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, Dan’iya alleged that personnel of the Sokoto Marshal and the Sokoto State Community Guard blocked his convoy and prevented it from passing through the airport area.

According to the statement, the personnel claimed they were acting on directives from their superiors not to allow ADC members into Sokoto State.

The statement further alleged that efforts by members of the candidate’s security team to resolve the confrontation failed before gunshots were fired, damaging the bulletproof vehicles.

It also claimed that two Department of State Services (DSS) operatives attached to Dan’iya’s security team were detained during the incident.

Describing the development as a threat to his personal safety and democratic freedoms, the ADC candidate called on relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and establish whether unlawful orders had been issued to restrict opposition members’ movement.

“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 was quoted as saying.

He added that no security outfit should be used to intimidate political opponents, stressing that every Nigerian had the right to move freely and participate in lawful political activities.

The candidate also alleged that earlier on Friday, his team had observed unusual deployments of Sokoto Marshal and Community Guard personnel at various entry points into the state, where vehicles bearing ADC inscriptions were stopped from entering.

Dan’iya disclosed that he had visited the state Commissioner of Police to formally report the incident and seek intervention.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and other relevant security authorities to investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

He further demanded the release of the two DSS operatives if they remained in custody, urging investigators to preserve available video footage, operational records and eyewitness accounts to facilitate an impartial inquiry.

The ADC candidate appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly and human rights organisations to pay attention to the situation, warning that political intimidation and violence could undermine democratic participation and the credibility of the electoral process.

Despite the incident, Dan’iya urged his supporters to remain calm and avoid retaliation, insisting that he would continue to pursue his political ambition peacefully and lawfully.