Abuja, FCT – Nigeria’s insecurity crisis took another alarming turn on Friday, August 15, 2025, when Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, former Zamfara State governorship candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC), narrowly escaped death after his convoy was ambushed by gunmen in the heart of Abuja.
Shinkafi, who also serves as the Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, confirmed that the armed men — masked, clad in black, and heavily armed — blocked his vehicle shortly after the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers before fleeing the scene. The assailants were reportedly driving an unregistered black Prado Jeep, a detail security experts say raises concerns about organized criminal networks operating within the Federal Capital Territory.
The APC chieftain, known for his fearless criticism of ransom payments to kidnappers in the Northwest, believes his strong stance on security reforms made him a target.
“My life was threatened today when some persons, dressed in black and wearing masks, blocked and attacked my car after the Friday Mosque prayers in Abuja. They were carrying big guns before they zoomed off. I strongly believe this is connected to my stand against ransom payments and my consistent call for the government to confront banditry with decisive action,” Shinkafi said.
For years, Shinkafi has campaigned against the “business of kidnapping,” accusing negotiators and ransom payers of indirectly funding terrorism. His position has won him support from civil society but also drawn hostility from powerful groups that allegedly benefit from ransom settlements.
Following the failed attempt, Shinkafi disclosed that he immediately filed a report with Nigerian security agencies, urging them to launch an urgent investigation.
“I call on the Nigerian government and security agencies to ensure those behind this attack are arrested and prosecuted. This is not about me alone; it is about protecting the voices of Nigerians who dare to speak the truth. No democracy survives if critics are silenced through violence,” he stressed.
So far, no arrests have been confirmed. The FCT Police Command and other relevant agencies are yet to release an official statement at the time of this report.
A Growing Pattern of Attacks on Politicians
This incident adds to a disturbing trend of assassination attempts on political figures and public officials in Nigeria. Just earlier this year, Senator Lawal Usman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was reportedly attacked while visiting his Kaduna Central constituency. Witnesses claimed that angry mobs pelted his convoy with stones and bottles, raising questions about the safety of politicians who frequently move among aggrieved communities.
Security analysts warn that Abuja, once considered relatively secure compared to other regions, is becoming increasingly unsafe as political violence, banditry, and kidnappings spread into the capital.
Public affairs commentator Hamma Hayatu described Shinkafi’s narrow escape as a wake-up call for the government.
“If a prominent figure like Dr. Shinkafi can be attacked in Abuja, the seat of power, then the ordinary Nigerian is far more vulnerable. It shows a frightening collapse in intelligence gathering and response systems. The government must wake up to its responsibility before assassinations become normalized in politics,” Hayatu warned.
Civil rights groups have also expressed concern that targeted attacks on outspoken figures could stifle public debate, discourage whistleblowers, and further deepen public mistrust in security institutions.
Zamfara Protests Highlight Worsening Crisis
Beyond the assassination attempt, Shinkafi’s home state of Zamfara continues to experience devastating insecurity. Recently, hundreds of women and nursing mothers from Kaura Namoda Local Government staged a protest march to the Government House in Gusau, demanding urgent action against bandit attacks.
Reports suggest that over 100 people were killed in a series of raids across villages including Mada, Ruwan Bore, Fegin Baza, Lilo, and Bangi within the past month. The protests underscore the public’s frustration with both federal and state responses to the crisis.
What This Means for Nigeria’s Politics
Political observers argue that attacks like the one on Shinkafi could discourage well-meaning leaders from speaking boldly about national issues. It also underscores the risks of contesting elections or holding controversial positions in Nigeria’s volatile political space.
The failed attack is not just an isolated incident — it symbolizes the dangerous intersection of politics, security, and criminality in the country.
As Nigerians await official responses from security authorities, the central question remains: If prominent politicians can be openly targeted in Abuja, what hope is there for ordinary citizens in rural communities under siege by bandits?
