Ex-Governorship Candidate £scapes Assass!nation Attempt In Abuja
Former Zamfara State governorship candidate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Dr. Shinkafi said the incident occurred shortly after Juma’at prayers while he was returning home. According to him, masked gunmen dressed in black intercepted his vehicle, opened fire, and fled in an unmarked black Prado Jeep.
The attack has stirred concerns over the safety of outspoken public figures in the country, especially those critical of the worsening security situation.
In a statement issued by the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Shinkafi linked the attempt on his life to his “bold and patriotic” stance on national issues, particularly insecurity in Zamfara State.
“This was an unprovoked attempt on my life, but I will not be deterred by intimidation or harassment in the quest for national security, peace, unity, and social development,” he said.
He revealed that in the days leading up to the attack, his Abuja residence received multiple threatening calls from unknown numbers, which he believes were connected to the incident.
Calling on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch an urgent investigation, Dr. Shinkafi stressed that the attack violated his constitutional rights, including the right to life and freedom of expression.
A vocal critic of banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara, Dr. Shinkafi has repeatedly urged families of victims not to pay ransom, arguing that such payments strengthen criminal gangs. He noted that this position may have provoked resentment from bandit groups, including notorious kingpin Turji Bello, who recently threatened his life in a viral video.
“I have consistently called for stronger military operations in the North-West and across Nigeria. These efforts are not only critical for national security but also vital to sustaining democratic governance and boosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election prospects,” he added.
Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
