Amnesty International Nigeria has renewed its call on the Federal Government to uncover the truth about the fate of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, six years after his abduction in Kaduna State.
The Country Director of the organisation , Mallam Isa Sanusi, made the call at a press conference in Kaduna to mark the sixth anniversary of Dadiyata’s disappearance.
According to Isa Sanusi, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with no progress recorded in official investigations.
“on 2nd August 2019, Dadiyata was seized by masked gunmen at his home as he returned from a journey. Witnesses said he was taken away at gunpoint, and his family had waited in vain for his return”,the country Director stated
Speaking emotionally, Sanusi noted that for six years, the family, friends, and the public have continued to ask, “Where is Dadiyata?”
He described the activist as an energetic and courageous Nigerian who used social media to criticize government policies and advocate for a better society.
Isa Sanusi observed that enforced disappearances are common in societies where law enforcement is weak and dissenting voices are repressed, adding that such acts violate human rights and create fear among citizens.
He stated that although the government has denied involvement, its failure to investigate the case meaningfully and protect Dadiyata’s rights remains a grave concern.
Amnesty International maintained that the burden rests on the authorities to close what it called the doors and windows of speculation by establishing the truth and ending the anguish of Dadiyata’s family.
Six years after the incident, Sanusi lamented that no tangible steps had been taken, stressing that the police assurances have amounted to nothing.
The organisation therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to show leadership by taking interest in the case and doing what his predecessor failed to do.
Mallam Sanusi stressed that the past few years have been difficult for critics of the government, citing instances of harassment, illegal detention, and judicial intimidation.
He condemned what he described as the government’s indifference to the fate of Dadiyata, warning that time was running out to provide answers and justice.
Amnesty International emphasized that the government has a duty to launch an active search for Dadiyata and ensure the protection of all Nigerians.
The organisation concluded by urging the authorities to break their silence and demonstrate a commitment to human rights and accountability.
In her remark, the wife of Dadiyati Mallama Khadija Ahmed re-echoed the trauma that the family has gone through over the past six years
“It has been traumatising and very difficult for the family since the day they took my husband as we have been living in anxiety,sorrow and despair.we are grateful to Amnesty international, family and friends and the good people of Nigeria who have shown concern and support in every way possible, especially with the burden of catering for two children”,she narrated.
Mallama Khadija Ahmed pleaded with president Ahmed Tinubu to give them closure in ensuring that the true picture of her husband’s whereabout is made known.
Teddy Daniel
