By Salihu Othman Isah
Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of popular social media influencer and political commentator, Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu.
What happened:
According to police, the incident occurred on Monday, September 8, 2026 at about 11:30pm.
The commander of the Gaida Vigilante Group reported that unknown hoodlums forcibly entered Danshagamu’s residence in Gaida Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area and attacked him with sharp objects.
Operatives of the Kumbotso Police Division responded and rushed the victim to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital, Kano, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The arrests:
Following directives from the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, the DPO Kumbotso, working with tactical units and community stakeholders, launched an intelligence-driven operation that led to the arrest of two suspects.
The suspects are currently in custody undergoing interrogation.
Police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend other persons connected to the crime.
“Statements are being obtained and forensic procedures are ongoing to establish the full facts and motive behind the attack,” Alhaji Bakori said.
Police on motive:
When asked if the killing was connected to Danshagamu’s social media activities, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said:
“From what we are able to gather from them so far, all we can say is that there is no correlation.
“It is just pure envy and hatred by neighbours,” he said.
Who was Dan Shagamu?:
Dan Shagamu operated under Dan Shagamu International and was known for videos and commentary on political, religious and community issues.
He had a large following on Facebook and TikTok.
He previously worked as a reporter for a local radio station.
Reactions:
The state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf condemned the attack as “barbaric and inhuman,” calling on security to investigate and punish those guilty.
He assured the state would ensure security of lives, especially as campaigns begin.
On his part, former governor of the state, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, described it as a “horrific attack” and urged the state government to constitute an investigative panel.
Amnesty International, while reacting on the matter, called for a thorough investigation, saying: “outspoken persons or critics are accommodated, listened to, not killed.”
What police are doing now:
Forensic procedures ongoing; additional patrols and intelligence operations deployed around Gaida; CP Bakori assured residents: “Justice will be pursued to its logical conclusion.”
It would be recalled that the victim, Ibrahim Khalil, was popularly known in social media circle, especially with his prominence on Facebook, TikTok and X, where he regularly commented on governance system and national issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dan Shagamu was known for his vitriolic attack and criticism of public officials in the country and had a large following across the entire parts of Northern part of the country.
The sources said that unknown assassins had stormed his residence at night and shot him dead.
However, family members and neighbours discovered his body after the attackers had fled the scene of crime.
The assassination had generated outrage on social media and among residents of the state.
Several youths, activists and fellow commentators and social media influencers in the state have called on security agencies to investigate the killing and bring the culprits to book.
His fellow political and social commentators as well as journalists said Dan Shagamu was fearless and committed to holding leaders accountable, not minding whose ox is gored.
They revealed that he had worked with the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Pyramid of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) at different times of his career.
His killing came days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) blew the whistle for campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political activities intensifying in the state and across the nation.
Speaking with this writer, one Hajiya Rabi, who claimed to be his niece, recalled that days before he was finally murdered, he confided that he would soon be killed.
According to her, he said, there were bad boys that had vowed to get him down and he could not escape it.
Hajiya Rabi said Dan Shagamu was slaughtered like a helpless ram by his assailants in his room.
Also, one of his neighbours, who pleaded anonymity said: “Ibrahim Dan Shagamu, was a vocal political commentator.
“He was our neighbour and friend.”
“Apart from being a popular social media commentator and political analyst, he was also a fearless journalist, but now he’s no more,” he said.
His friends and neighbours believed he was a victim of political murder.
As calls for a thorough investigation heighten, residents and his fellow colleagues insist justice to be served in all its ramifications.