Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Federal Capital Territory Criminal Investigation Department (FCT CID) have arrested human rights activist, Mr Abdulmumin Imam, in Abuja, over the alleged diversion of 10,000 bags of rice and groundnut oil by the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
The arrest followed a petition filed by the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Echuseh Audu.
The arrest is reportedly tied to the Imam’s public criticism of the agency’s handling of relief materials meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable residents in Taraba State.
Imam has consistently used his social media platforms to demand transparency, questioning whether aid was reaching its intended beneficiaries.
SaharaReporters earlier alleged that Dr Audu sought to use law enforcement to intimidate and silence Imam over his calls for accountability.
Audu’s agency is responsible for delivering emergency support to displaced and disadvantaged communities in Taraba, a state frequently hit by communal clashes and natural disasters.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that Audu accused Imam of cyberbullying and defamation after he challenged the transparency of SEMA’s relief distribution.
A source familiar with the arrest described how officers stormed Imam’s residence in what was likened to a “Gestapo-style” operation.
The Imam was allegedly assaulted after demanding proper identification. “One Officer Fala slapped Imam for asking him to identify himself. Imam was pushed into a car, which immediately zoomed off. Imam is now at FCT CID. Maybe tomorrow he will be moved to Taraba,” the source said.
Imam has maintained that he never refused to cooperate with authorities. His lawyer, Charles Ude, had earlier written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Jalingo, Taraba State, acknowledging an invitation letter issued to Imam.
In the March 30, 2026, letter, Ude confirmed his client’s willingness to cooperate but requested a rescheduled date, citing short notice and Imam’s absence from Jalingo.
The letter emphasised that while allegations of cyberbullying, defamation, and intimidation were referenced, no specific details of the complaint were disclosed.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters reported on March 29, 2026, that Dr Audu voluntarily presented herself to multiple security and investigative agencies, including the police, DSS, NSCDC, the governor’s Special Adviser on Security, and the Ministry of Justice, seeking a comprehensive probe into allegations of relief diversion.
The allegations, which originated on Facebook and spread widely across social media, claimed that more than 10,000 bags of rice and over 1,000 cartons of groundnut oil intended for IDPs and vulnerable groups were diverted and sold outside Taraba State.
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