by Henryrich,Abuja .

The case of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata, remains one of Nigeria’s most enduring and controversial enforced disappearance cases. A 34-year-old lecturer in the Department of English and Linguistics at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Dadiyata was a vocal social media commentator and critic of political figures and governance issues in northern Nigeria.The Abduction (August 1-2, 2019)

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On the evening of August 1, 2019 (reported as August 2 in some accounts), unidentified masked gunmen intercepted Dadiyata as he drove into his compound in the Barnawa area of Kaduna State. Eyewitnesses described armed men forcing him out of his vehicle and abducting him at gunpoint. His wife reported him missing shortly after, and despite immediate police involvement, no trace of him has been found since. The incident occurred during Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna State Governor (2015–2023).

Dadiyata’s online activity often targeted perceived injustices, including criticisms of state governments in the region. While some reports note his sharp commentary on Kaduna affairs, others emphasize his focus on Kano State under then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.Early Investigations and Court Rulings (2019–2020)
Kaduna State Police launched an investigation, but progress stalled quickly. In 2020, a Federal High Court ordered security agencies to produce Dadiyata or explain his whereabouts. The order was not complied with, and the case was classified by groups like Amnesty International as an enforced disappearance.

Human rights organizations repeatedly called for transparency, highlighting concerns over state involvement in silencing critics.No official statement or visit from the Kaduna State Government to Dadiyata’s family was recorded during this period, fueling suspicions of cover-up.El-Rufai’s Recent Revelation (February 2026)

The case resurfaced dramatically in mid-February 2026 when former Governor El-Rufai appeared on Arise Television. He denied any involvement by his administration, stating he “didn’t even know [Dadiyata] existed” until after the abduction report. El-Rufai claimed Dadiyata was primarily a critic of Ganduje’s Kano government, not Kaduna’s.He alleged that three years later (around 2022), a police officer transferred from Kano to Ekiti State confessed remorsefully to someone that he was part of a team “sent from Kano” to abduct Dadiyata.

El-Rufai suggested the operation stemmed from Kano political tensions and urged scrutiny of that state’s government.Ganduje swiftly rejected the claims as “reckless, unfounded,” and an attempt to shift blame. He noted the abduction occurred in Kaduna and called for a transparent probe without politicization, emphasizing the family’s need for closure.DSS Reopens the Case and Passport Seizure (February 2026)

In a major development reported across outlets like Arise News, Vanguard, Leadership, Punch, and BusinessDay, the Department of State Services (DSS) reopened the “cold case” in February 2026 following months of discreet investigations and fresh leads.

Anonymoussecurity sources stated the probe now examines alleged links to El-Rufai and his two sons (Bello and Bashir), citing social media posts by the sons suggesting Dadiyata posed issues for their family. The DSS seized El-Rufai’s international passport last Thursday at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to prevent him from traveling to Egypt (where he reportedly resides part-time) amid the ongoing inquiry.Sources described the action as necessary because El-Rufai was “fully aware” of the investigation and planned meetings with anti-graft agencies before departing. The probe has reportedly expanded to other missing persons cases linked to his administration.El-Rufai has not issued a direct public response to the passport seizure or renewed allegations beyond his earlier interview. No formal charges have been filed, and the DSS has not released an official statement.Current Status and Broader Implications
As of February 17, 2026, Dadiyata remains missing—over six years later—with no confirmed sighting or evidence of his fate. His family, including his wife and children, continues to seek answers, with reports noting profound personal toll: his mother’s death without resolution and his father’s declining health.The case has sparked intense debate on social media and in political circles. Supporters of El-Rufai view the timing as politically motivated retaliation for his criticisms of the current administration, while critics see it as overdue accountability.

Human rights advocates renew calls for an independent, possibly international, investigation.Under Nigerian law (Evidence Act, Section 164(1)), if Dadiyata is not found by August 2026, he could be legally presumed dead. Until then, the mystery persists, intertwined with allegations of state power, political vendettas, and the cost of dissent in Nigeria. The family and civil society groups maintain pressure for justice and transparency.

Amnesty International’s Role in the Abubakar Idris Dadiyata Disappearance Case.

Amnesty International, a global human rights organization, has played a prominent and consistent advocacy role in the case of Abubakar Idris (known as Dadiyata), the Kaduna-based lecturer and social media critic who has been missing since his abduction on August 2, 2019.

The group has classified the incident as an enforced disappearance—a serious violation of international human rights law where state agents or actors acting with state acquiescence are involved or complicit, leading to the denial of liberty and protection.From shortly after the abduction, Amnesty International Nigeria has highlighted Dadiyata’s case as emblematic of broader issues in Nigeria, including shrinking civic space, impunity for critics of government, threats to freedom of expression, and the use of enforced disappearances to silence dissent.

Keyaspects of Amnesty’s involvement include:Early Documentation and Calls for Accountability (2019–2020): Within the first year of Dadiyata’s disappearance, Amnesty published articles and statements questioning the government’s response. In a July 2020 piece titled “Still, Where is Dadiyata?” by Seun Bakare (then Head of Programmes at Amnesty International Nigeria), the organization emphasized that even if the state was not directly responsible, it had failed in its duty to protect citizens’ rights.

The group argued the case transcended one individual’s fate—it represented a defense of free expression and the rule of law.

Classification as Enforced Disappearance:

Amnesty, alongside other international watchdogs, has consistently described Dadiyata’s abduction as fitting the definition of enforced disappearance under international standards. This framing places responsibility on the Nigerian state to investigate thoroughly, regardless of direct involvement, due to obligations under treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture.
Annual Anniversaries and Public Pressure (2022–2025): Amnesty marked key milestones with public statements and press conferences.

On the third anniversary (2022), it noted Dadiyata had been missing for over 1,123 days and documented patterns of enforced disappearances in Nigeria. In August 2025—marking six years—Country Director Isa Sanusi held a press briefing in Kaduna, slamming the Federal Government’s “deafening silence and shameful inaction.” He described the case as a symbol of growing intolerance for dissent, impunity, and state failure to protect citizens, even if not directly implicated. Amnesty urged President Bola Tinubu to order an independent probe, criticizing law enforcement promises as “weak and weightless.”
Renewed Calls Amid 2026 Developments: Following former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s February 2026 interview on Arise Television—where he denied Kaduna’s involvement and pointed to Kano—and the subsequent DSS reopening of the case with passport seizure, Amnesty renewed its demand for an independent, public, and resourced investigation (as reported February 15–17, 2026, via outlets like GazetteNGR). The group stressed the prolonged anguish on Dadiyata’s family and the need for authorities to act urgently. Social media posts from Amnesty Nigeria reiterated that the abduction linked to Dadiyata’s critical online voice, calling for immediate next steps.

Amnesty has supported Dadiyata’s family through advocacy, amplifying their voices (including statements from his brother Usman Idris and wife Khadija Ahmad Lame) and thanking civil society allies for keeping the case alive. The organization has written to successive administrations and vowed to continue pressing until justice is served—not just for Dadiyata, but for all victims of similar violations.No direct response from Amnesty to the latest DSS actions against El-Rufai was detailed in recent reports, but the group’s longstanding position favors transparent, impartial inquiries free from political interference. As the case approaches seven years, Amnesty’s persistent campaigning underscores its role as a key voice holding Nigerian authorities accountable amid ongoing debates over responsibility and resolution.