Shinkafi briefed journalists in Abuja on Saturday, revealing that masked gunmen in a black Prado Jeep without a number plate blocked and attacked his vehicle shortly after Friday mosque prayers. He appealed to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Shinkafi emphasized that the attack was a violation of his fundamental rights, including the right to life, dignity, and freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
The incident is believed to be connected to his outspoken position on national security, particularly his call for families of kidnap victims to stop paying ransoms to bandits. Shinkafi argued that ransom payments only enable criminals to acquire more weapons and continue their violence.
Shinkafi also revealed that he had received threats from notorious bandit kingpin, Turji Bello, following his anti-ransom stance. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to address critical national matters objectively, citing his experience as Chairman of the Zamfara State Committee for the Prosecution of Bandits and Related Offences.
The APC chieftain urged the military to intensify its operations against criminal groups in the North West and across Nigeria, stressing that this would contribute to making President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election easier.