By Ayoade Ishola
A former Zamfara governorship candidate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned Nigeria’s security agencies to investigate an alleged assassination attempt on his life in Abuja.
Shinkafi, who is also a security expert and Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD) said on Saturday in a statement that the incident occurred on Friday, 15 August, shortly after he left the mosque where he observed the Jumuah prayers.
He said that armed men dressed in black and wearing masks attacked his vehicle before speeding off in a black Prado Jeep without number plates.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch a thorough investigation of the development.
“My life was threatened when some persons blocked and attacked my car after Friday prayers in Abuja. I appeal to the IGP and the DG DSS to investigate this unprovoked attempt and bring those behind it to justice,” he said.
The APC chieftain suggested that the attack may be linked to his outspoken stance on national security, particularly his calls for families of kidnapped victims not to pay ransom.
He argued that ransom payments only enable bandits to acquire more sophisticated weapons.
Shinkafi said the attack was a violation of his constitutional rights, including the right to life, dignity, liberty, privacy and freedom of expression, which he exercises in media engagements and public advocacy.
He recalled that notorious bandit leader Turji Bello had previously threatened him after his public comments urging military action in the North West and stronger measures against kidnappers.
Despite the threats, Shinkafi reaffirmed his commitment to peace and social development, stressing that Nigeria’s unity and stability must come before partisan interests.
He equally said that earlier in the week, someone had called his Abuja residence several times with different phone numbers.
“The attack may not be unconnected with my views on national security particularly in Zamfara State where I urged families of kidnapped victims not to pay ransom as bandits used the funds to acquire more sophisticated weapons for their attacks on innocent citizens.
“I also urged the military to intensify their operations to flush out these criminal elements in the North West in particular and the entire nation which will make the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu easier as the geopolitical zone that gave him the highest votes in 2023 presidential election in which he appointed me to served as a Patron, Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.
“I equally served as Deputy Chairman, Matawalle Governorship Campaign Council (Zamfara State) in 2023 Governorship Election and delivered my Polling Unit, Ward and Local Government to APC candidates and We delivered our local government during the Presidential election in 2023.
“It is obvious that my views may not be in consonance with those who prioritise personal interests above national interest.
Just as my call on families of kidnapped victims not to pay ransom to bandits which will only succeed in empowering them enraged the wanted bandit kingpin Turji Bello who in a recent video threatened my life,” Shinkafi said.
