Five Years After, Nigerian Govt Critic, Dadiyata Remains Missing After Abduction By Gunmen

The family of Nigerian journalist and social media critic, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, abducted by gunmen on August 1, 2019 in his home, has resumed call for his release after five years of his disappearance.

Dadiyata was abducted in his residence in the Barnawa neighbourhood of Kaduna State by unidentified men.

He was a known critic of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling political party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

The police had said that he was returning home at about 1am when some armed men breached his house’s security and took him away in his BMW car.

Five years after his abduction, Dadiyata’s father, brother, sister and friend lamented how Dadiyata’s mother died as a result of his disappearance, while the family have been suffering and are still suffering his absence.

His father, Danjuma Yaro, said the family have been in “Bitterness, constant worry and sadness. That is the situation we find ourselves in.

“We have tried our best going places we can, meeting leaders that we can cry to regarding such issues.”

Dadiyata’s brother, Idris Usman Idris, who recalled that Dadiyata was abducted on August 1, 2019, said “The family have suffered and are still suffering the absence of their breadwinner.

“Our mum died without seeing the return of her child. Our old dad has been in prayers. We believe God knows the best, and our prayer is that he will be back one day.”

Dadiyata’s sister, Jamila Usman, said “A lot of things have happened that I can’t narrate here. The biggest one was the death of our mother, mainly because of what happened with Dadiyata; but we pray God rest her soul.”

Also, Dadiyata’s friend, Shakur Yahaya, said, “Our call on the authority is for them to do the needful, what God has appointed them to do, because it is ordained that they will be in charge of our lives and properties.”

In June 2020, Dadiyata’s wife, Khadijah, called for her husband’s immediate release, and highlighted the pain the family had been through since her husband’s abduction.

In May 2023, the incumbent Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, vowed to take up the case of Dadiyata with security agencies in Nigeria to ensure he is rescued and that those responsible for his disappearance are brought to justice.

“Earlier, in my inaugural address, I stated that we cannot forget the case of our respected member and supporter, Abubakar Dadiyata, who was whisked away in broad daylight by unknown elements more than three years ago.

“The Kano State Government will take up his case with all relevant security agencies in the country so as to rescue him and bring those responsible to justice,” the Governor had written on X social media platform.

In July 2023, former senator, Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, called on President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government to open a full-scale investigation into Dadiyata’s abduction.

However, till date, Dadiyata’s father said the family have tried their best by going to different places they can, and meeting leaders that they can cry to regarding the issue but nothing positive has happened.

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