The Department of State Services (DSS) has reopened investigations into the 2019 abduction of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, and plans to invite suspects, including the sons of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, for questioning.
Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, was reportedly abducted by gunmen from his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna, on August 2, 2019. His whereabouts remain unknown nearly seven years later.
Kadijah, Dadiyata’s wife, expressed renewed fears over her husband’s disappearance in a video interview with Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri, shared on X on Thursday.
“We pray that one day he will come back,” she said, urging Nigerians to help uncover his whereabouts.
She also recalled a controversial 2019 social media post allegedly made by the son of a former Kaduna governor, which she described as “dangerous lies in the public space” that “have consequences.”
Omokri, who visited Kadijah and her children, assured her of justice and appealed to Governor Uba Sani to assist the family with relocation, education, or employment support.
Reacting to the renewed probe, El-Rufai denied any prior knowledge of Dadiyata or involvement in the case. “Dadiyata was not a fierce critic of the Kaduna State government. He is a Kwankwasiya guy… his issue was with the Kano State government,” he said.
Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, through his spokesman Muhammad Garba, dismissed claims linking him to the case, calling them “reckless and unfounded,” and said Dadiyata was widely known in Kaduna for criticizing the state government.
A security source said the DSS recently seized El-Rufai’s passport at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as part of ongoing investigations.
“The DSS has reopened the case of Dadiyata and other missing persons,” the source said, adding that El-Rufai and his family are aware of the probe.
