A prominent Nigerian politician and senior figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in the capital city of Abuja last Friday. The former Zamfara State governorship candidate reported that masked gunmen ambushed his vehicle after he attended Friday prayers, fleeing in an unmarked black SUV. The incident has raised fresh concerns about political violence and security challenges in Africa’s most populous nation.
Shinkafi described the assailants as clad in black attire and armed with “big guns,” noting they blocked his car before attacking it. He revealed to journalists that suspicious phone calls had targeted his residence in Abuja days before the assault. “My life was threatened today,” he stated, urging Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the attack and prosecute those responsible. He framed the incident as a violation of constitutional rights, including his freedom of expression—a principle he said he upholds through media engagements advocating for stability and democracy.
The politician suggested the attack could relate to his vocal opposition to ransom payments for kidnapping victims in Zamfara, a northwestern state grappling with bandit violence. Shinkafi has repeatedly argued that ransoms fuel insurgents’ access to weapons, drawing ire from criminal factions. He specifically cited threats from Turji Bello, a notorious bandit leader, who allegedly targeted him in a recent video. “My views prioritize national interest over personal agendas,” Shinkafi emphasized, referencing his past roles in anti-banditry task forces and as an advisor on intergovernmental affairs.
A seasoned political strategist, Shinkafi has held influential positions, including chairing committees on prosecuting bandits and curbing illegal mining. He played key roles in President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, underscoring his alignment with the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” focused on security and economic revival. The APC stalwart called for unity amid Nigeria’s security crisis, stating, “We must set aside partisan divides to safeguard our nation’s future.”
Authorities have yet to issue official statements on the incident, which highlights ongoing tensions between policymakers and armed groups. Security analysts warn that targeted attacks on public figures risk destabilizing efforts to contain violence in regions like Zamfara, where kidnappings and communal clashes remain widespread. Shinkafi’s ordeal underscores the precarious balance between political advocacy and personal safety in Nigeria’s complex security landscape, drawing attention to the broader implications of criminal networks’ influence on governance.
