By Okechukwu Nwanguma,
*Time for Truth, Accountability, and an Independent Police Investigation*
Recent public comments by Nasir El-Rufai during a live interview have raised grave concerns regarding the enforced disappearance of political activist Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata.
In that interview, El-Rufai reportedly pointed fingers at Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was the Governor of Kano State at the time of Dadiyata’s abduction. He also referenced an alleged confession by a police officer purportedly involved in the operation.
If these claims are accurate, they are explosive.
If they are false, they are reckless.
Either way, they demand an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation.
The Nigeria Police Force Must Act Now
The Inspector-General of Police must, without delay:
– Order a prompt, impartial, and effective investigation into these revelations.
– Identify and interrogate any police officers allegedly deployed across state lines in connection with Dadiyata’s abduction.
– Determine whether any unit of the Nigeria Police Force was involved.
– Publicly clarify the status of any alleged confessional statements.
– Establish the chain of command, authorisation, and operational records, if any such deployment occurred.
An enforced disappearance is not a political talking point. It is a grave human rights violation and a crime under international law.
The Right to Truth
Dadiyata was abducted in 2019. He has not been seen since.
His family deserves answers.
The public deserves answers.
Nigeria deserves answers.
It is deeply troubling to now hear suggestions that individuals in positions of authority may have had knowledge of those responsible all along. If anyone – whether former governor, serving official, or security officer – possessed information relevant to his disappearance and withheld it, that too must be investigated.
Silence in the face of a disappearance is complicity.
No Selective Justice
Our position is consistent and principled:
– We demand due process for everyone – including those accused of past abuses.
– But we equally demand accountability for grave human rights violations – regardless of political affiliation.
This is not about political coalitions.
It is not about partisan rivalries.
It is about the rule of law.
If police officers were used for political abduction, Nigeria faces a constitutional crisis far beyond one individual case. The weaponisation of law enforcement for political ends is incompatible with democracy.
The Role of the Inspector-General
The current Inspector-General of Police has an opportunity to demonstrate that the Nigeria Police Force will not shield wrongdoing, past or present.
A credible investigation must be independent, transparent, time-bound, and publicly reported.
Anything less will reinforce the perception of institutional impunity.
#WhereIsDadiyata?
This question has lingered for years.
Now that fresh public allegations have surfaced, the moment for evasion has passed.
We call on the Inspector-General of Police to act decisively and reassure Nigerians that enforced disappearance has no place in our democracy – and that no individual, however powerful, is beyond scrutiny.
The truth must come out.
The family deserves closure.
Nigeria deserves justice.
#WhereIsDadiyata?
Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma is the Executive Director of RULAAC
