The whereabouts of human rights activist Abdulmumin Imam remain unknown following his alleged abduction by operatives of the Taraba State Police Command, causing concerns among his family and legal representatives.
Imam’s relatives and lawyers have accused a police officer identified as Sergeant Fala, allegedly acting in collaboration with officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, of secretly whisking him away.
A source familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the activist was taken at gunpoint in Abuja.
“Serious concerns have arisen regarding the safety and whereabouts of Abdulmumin Imam following actions allegedly taken by officers of the Taraba State Police Command,” the source said.
“His whereabouts remain unknown after Sergeant Fala of the Taraba CID allegedly whisked him away at about 4 a.m. at gunpoint.”
Sources linked Imam’s arrest to his persistent calls for transparency in the distribution of relief materials meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable residents in Taraba State.
The activist had reportedly been vocal on social media, questioning whether aid designated for displaced and low-income communities was reaching its intended beneficiaries.
His advocacy is said to have drawn the attention of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr Echuseh Audu, who allegedly petitioned the police.
According to documents cited by sources, Audu accused Imam of cyberbullying and defamation following his public criticisms of the agency’s activities.
SEMA is responsible for coordinating emergency relief for displaced persons and vulnerable communities in Taraba State, a region frequently affected by communal clashes and natural disasters.
The source disclosed that the incident began with an official invitation from the Taraba State Police Command, requesting Imam’s appearance.
Through his lawyer, Imam reportedly replied that he was not resident in Taraba and requested an alternative date to honour the invitation.
However, instead of responding to his counsel, the police allegedly tracked him to Abuja, where he was abducted.
“He was detained overnight in a police cell alongside suspected kidnappers under unclear circumstances,” the source said.
Efforts by his family and legal team to gain access to him were reportedly unsuccessful, as calls to authorities were ignored and later blocked.
“At approximately 3:00 a.m., while relatives waited at the SARS office gate, Mr Imam was removed from detention and taken to an unknown location,” the source added.
“As of now, his family and lawyers do not know his whereabouts, and he is no longer confirmed to be in police custody. This raises serious concerns about his safety and constitutional rights.”
When contacted, Sergeant Fala declined to comment on the allegations, directing inquiries to the Taraba State Police Command.
“Contact the PPRO Taraba State Police Command for clarification, please. Thanks,” he said.
In a related development, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, clarified that the officer in question is not attached to the FCT Command.
“The officer is not serving in FCT but from Taraba. Police from other commands can operate in other jurisdictions with appropriate investigating authority,” the police boss said.
“Since the police are one, we must allow detention for safety before they proceed to their command. The best thing is to contact the Commissioner of Police in Taraba.
“I called Fala and told him to bring the suspect so I could interview him and understand the issue, but he told me they left at about 3 a.m. and were already in Taraba.”
Efforts to reach the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Morkwap S. Dongshal, were unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages.
Similarly, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Victor Mshelizah, did not respond to calls or text messages seeking clarification.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr Echuseh Audu, also failed to respond to inquiries as of the time of filing this report.
Imam’s family has called on authorities, civil society organisations, and the public to intervene urgently to ensure his safety and disclose his whereabouts.
“No citizen should disappear while in custody,” the source said. “Transparency in custodial matters is essential.”
The family also expressed fears for his safety, urging authorities to guarantee access to legal representation and protect his fundamental rights.
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