Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is facing renewed pressure from multiple fronts as security and anti-corruption agencies intensify investigations linked to both financial allegations and the unresolved 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
Security sources disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has formally reopened its investigation into Dadiyata’s abduction, nearly seven years after the academic and social media commentator was declared missing. The agency is reportedly reviewing evidence and may invite individuals considered relevant to the case for questioning.
Dadiyata, a lecturer at Federal University Dutsinma, was abducted on August 1, 2019, in Barnawa, Kaduna. According to family accounts, gunmen intercepted him as he returned home and stepped out of his vehicle inside his compound. He was taken away in the presence of his wife, Kadijah, who witnessed the incident from a window.
Despite sustained advocacy, including online campaigns under the hashtag #WhereisDadiyata, his whereabouts remain unknown. The case has since become a rallying point for activists concerned about enforced disappearances and the safety of political critics.
Passport seizure and renewed scrutiny
A senior security source revealed that El-Rufai’s international passport was recently seized at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport amid ongoing investigations. The source said the measure was taken to prevent him from travelling abroad while inquiries continue.
Although no official statement has directly linked the former governor to Dadiyata’s disappearance, sources claimed that investigators are examining whether he or members of his family may have information relevant to the case.
The renewed probe follows recent public exchanges in which El-Rufai denied any involvement in the disappearance and dismissed suggestions that Dadiyata was one of his critics. He argued that the missing lecturer was primarily aligned with the Kwankwasiyya political movement and was more critical of the Kano State government.
According to El-Rufai, if any government should be questioned over the abduction, it is that of former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. He maintained that he had not known Dadiyata prior to the abduction being reported to the police.
Ganduje, however, rejected the claim, describing it as an attempt to deflect responsibility for an incident that occurred within Kaduna State. He insisted that Dadiyata was widely known in Kaduna for his criticisms of the state government.
Political observers note that Dadiyata was an outspoken online commentator who frequently criticised political leaders across party lines, including both El-Rufai and Ganduje.
Wife recounts trauma in video interview
Public attention returned to the case after former presidential aide and political commentator, Reno Omokri, released a video interview with Dadiyata’s wife.
In the footage shared on his X handle, Kadijah spoke about the emotional toll of her husband’s disappearance and the prolonged uncertainty faced by her family. When asked about her hopes after nearly seven years without closure, she responded: “We pray that one day, he will come back.”
She appealed to Nigerians to assist in uncovering the truth about his fate. “They should please do whatever they can to help us know his whereabouts, if he’s alive or not,” she said.
Kadijah also described the night of the abduction, recalling how her husband was seized moments after arriving home. She said the incident unfolded rapidly and left her traumatised.
Omokri pledged to advocate for justice and urged Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to provide support for the family. He suggested assistance with relocation, the children’s education and employment opportunities for Kadijah, arguing that the state has a moral responsibility to ensure their welfare.
The interview also revisited a controversial 2019 social media comment that appeared to mock Dadiyata’s disappearance. Kadijah said she only learned about the post after someone showed it to her. “I felt bad about it. I can’t even explain,” she said.
ICPC detention after EFCC release
Beyond the disappearance probe, El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
He was initially detained earlier in the week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and released after two nights in custody. Shortly after his release, he was taken in by the ICPC, where he has remained.
An ICPC official confirmed that the former governor is still with the commission but declined to specify the nature of the investigation. Reports suggest that the probe may relate to alleged financial mismanagement during his tenure, including the controversial N11.1 billion Kaduna light rail joint venture project, though this has not been independently confirmed.
El-Rufai’s lawyer has criticised the search of his Abuja residence by ICPC operatives, describing it as a violation of due process.
Lingering questions
Nearly seven years after Dadiyata’s disappearance, the case continues to generate public concern. The reopening of the investigation by the DSS has raised fresh hopes among supporters and family members that new leads may emerge.
For Kadijah and her children, however, the passage of time has not eased the pain of uncertainty.
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