The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused operatives of the Sokoto State-owned security outfit, Sokoto Marshals, of attacking its governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, and vandalising vehicles in his convoy.
The party has given the police 24 hours to arrest those responsible and secure the release of two Department of State Services (DSS) personnel reportedly abducted during the incident.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council said the attack occurred along Airport Road, Sokoto, on Friday night.
Dan Iya was reportedly returning to the city after accompanying former governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to the airport.
The party alleged that armed operatives of the Sokoto Marshals attacked the convoy, damaging several vehicles, including the candidate’s personal SUV.
It further claimed that two DSS personnel attached to Dan Iya were abducted during the incident.
According to the statement, the candidate had reported the matter to the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police.
The ADC also alleged that operatives of the security outfit had been stationed at various historic gates into Sokoto metropolis, where they harassed motorists and targeted vehicles displaying ADC posters and party insignia.
Describing the development as political intimidation, the campaign council accused the state-owned security outfit of being used against opposition figures.
“This is not governance. It is banditry in uniform, and it must not be tolerated in a democracy,” the statement said.
The party linked the incident to what it described as a growing pattern of attacks against ADC members and opposition figures, citing similar incidents reportedly recorded in Kaduna and other states.
It called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to investigate the attack, arrest those responsible and secure the release of the two DSS personnel.
The council also demanded adequate protection for its candidate and other party members.
It warned that failure to act within 24 hours would compel its leadership to take further decisive but lawful steps to protect its members and defend their political rights.
“No individual or group has a monopoly of violence, intimidation or lawlessness,” the statement added.
The Sokoto State Government and the Sokoto Marshals were yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.