Former Zamfara State governorship aspirant and political figure, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, demanding an investigation into social media influencer and activist Dan Bello over a series of videos allegedly targeting former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.
In the petition, Shinkafi accused the influencer of publishing defamatory and misleading content intended to damage the reputation of Yari and create negative public perceptions about his political activities.
He argued that the videos contain allegations that could tarnish the image of the former governor and called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly in line with the provisions of Nigerian law.
According to Shinkafi, the increasing use of social media platforms to circulate unverified claims and personal attacks poses a threat to public discourse and democratic engagement. He urged the police to take decisive action to discourage cyberbullying, misinformation and character assassination.
The petition comes amid growing political activity in Zamfara State as political actors and interest groups continue to position themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
Observers say the development reflects the increasing influence of digital media and social media influencers in shaping public opinion and political narratives across Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Dan Bello nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official response to the petition.
The case is expected to attract significant public attention given the personalities involved and the broader debate over freedom of expression, accountability and responsible use of social media platforms.
