Residents of Kaduna State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the Government House, calling for a public audit of former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s administration and demanding answers over the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata.
The protesters, made up of youths and women, converged at the UTC roundabout in Kaduna metropolis before marching to the seat of power.
They chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as “We demand public scrutiny, audit now,” “Malam Nasir El-Rufai, where is Dadiyata?” and “Publish loan agreement and spending breakdown now.”
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted by gunmen from his residence in 2019 and has not been seen since.
His disappearance continues to generate controversy within and outside the state.
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, one of the protest leaders, Anas Yusuf, said the action was not politically driven but centred on accountability.
“We are not here for politics; we are here for accountability.
Kaduna bled. Communities were attacked, Birnin Gwari faced isolation, banditry escalated, citizens were kidnapped, families buried loved ones, and fear became normal during the last administration,” he said.
“Those years cannot be erased with speeches.
Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai must answer hard questions. You governed, and now you must account.”
Another protest leader, Joseph Chori, described Dadiyata’s disappearance as “an open wound,” adding, “A family still waits. Kaduna still asks: what happened?”
The group also called for full disclosure of the $350 million World Bank loan secured during El-Rufai’s tenure, urging the state government to publish the loan agreement and a detailed account of how the funds were utilised.
“Loans are not free money. Public debt demands public accountability because citizens will repay that debt.
They deserve transparency,” the protesters stated.
They further demanded an independent public security audit of the former administration, insisting that insecurity during that period must be thoroughly examined.
El-Rufai has previously denied any involvement in Dadiyata’s disappearance.
In an earlier interview with Arise Television, he said the missing lecturer had been a critic of the Kano State government rather than his administration in Kaduna.
The demonstrators noted that the state is experiencing relative calm under Governor Uba Sani and maintained that their protest was aimed at strengthening democracy and ensuring justice.
“We will not allow destabilisation to shield anyone from scrutiny.
This is not revenge; this is justice and democracy. We will not forget the victims. Kaduna deserves better,” the group said.
