El-Rufai Accuses Ganduje of Link to Dadiyata’s 2019 Abduction, Renewing Pressure for Answers!
El-Rufai Accuses Ganduje of Link to Dadiyata’s 2019 Abduction, Renewing Pressure for Answers!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist)| Sele Media Africa
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that the 2019 abduction of missing activist Abubakar Idris (Dadiyata) was connected to operatives tied to the administration of former Kano State governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, reigniting nationwide concern over the unresolved disappearance.
El-Rufai made the claim during a recent television interview, where he rejected suggestions that Kaduna State authorities were complicit in Dadiyata’s disappearance. He argued that the activist’s public criticisms were largely directed at the Kano State government rather than his own administration.
El-Rufai’s Claims
According to the former governor, intelligence gathered after the incident indicated that the suspected abductors originated from Kano State. He also referenced what he described as a confession by a police officer allegedly transferred from Kano to Ekiti, who purportedly admitted they were “sent from Kano” to execute the operation.
El-Rufai maintained that Kaduna officials only became aware of Dadiyata after the family formally reported the abduction, insisting responsibility for deeper scrutiny should extend beyond Kaduna.
Background to the Disappearance
Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma and a prominent social media commentator, was abducted on 2 August 2019 by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna State. More than six years later, his whereabouts remain unknown despite sustained advocacy driven by the #WhereIsDadiyata campaign.
Rights organizations notably Amnesty International have repeatedly urged Nigerian authorities to conduct an independent, transparent investigation, citing broader concerns about enforced disappearances and protection of civic voices.
Rising Public Scrutiny
El-Rufai’s latest remarks have triggered renewed public debate, with observers questioning why the case remains unresolved years after the abduction. Analysts caution that the allegations have not been independently verified, and, as of press time, there has been no formal response from Ganduje or Kano State officials.
The development again spotlights persistent concerns about inter-state security coordination, accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement architecture, and the safety of outspoken digital activists.
Key Questions Still Unanswered
Despite years of advocacy and official attention, critical issues remain:
Who ordered the abduction of Dadiyata?
What conclusions emerged from security investigations conducted since 2019?
Why has no definitive public report been released?
Until credible answers emerge, Dadiyata’s disappearance continues to stand as a troubling test of accountability and human rights protections in Nigeria.
Sources: Premium Times, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Daily Post Nigeria, Legit.ng
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