Dadiyata’s disappearance in focus as DSS moves to open probe against El-Rufai

The 2019 disappearance of government critic, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, has resurfaced as a major line of inquiry as the Department of State Services (DSS) moves to open a fresh probe against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The renewed focus on the unresolved abduction comes amid El-Rufai’s ongoing legal troubles. He was detained on Wednesday night by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) shortly after being released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he had spent two nights over alleged financial improprieties amounting to N432 billion.

While the DSS has denied reports that it arrested him directly, security sources say the agency is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Dadiyata’s disappearance and may invite the former governor for questioning.

Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, was abducted from his Kaduna home on August 1, 2019. Despite public outcry and sustained advocacy campaigns, his whereabouts remain unknown.

The case regained public attention following recent political exchanges involving El-Rufai and former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje. In an opinion piece, U.S.-based academic and columnist Farooq Kperogi examined claims and counterclaims surrounding the disappearance and the possible political motives behind it.

Kperogi wrote that although El-Rufai had described Dadiyata as a devoted follower of Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Kwankwasiyya movement, “El-Rufai’s suggestion that Dadiyata was not a fierce critic of his does not square with the public record.” He added, “From my recollections, Dadiyata’s Twitter commentary frequently targeted El-Rufai, as many people have already pointed out.”

The columnist also referenced a controversial December 2019 tweet by Bashir El-Rufai, the former governor’s son, which appeared to mock the campaign for Dadiyata’s safe return. According to Kperogi, “That’s no proof that El-Rufai was guilty of disappearing Dadiyata, but given El-Rufai’s close relationship with his children, Bashir’s tweet is at least circumstantial evidence of El-Rufai’s knowledge of and unease with Dadiyata’s biting commentaries.”

Kperogi further argued that both El-Rufai and Ganduje had records of intolerance toward critics. “Given their records of intolerance to criticism, the best I can surmise is that El-Rufai and Ganduje found common cause in silencing Dadiyata since he was severely critical of both of them,” he wrote, while stressing that this remained an inference rather than established fact.

He called for a thorough and transparent investigation, stating: “Law enforcement authorities should, without delay, invite El-Rufai to disclose the identity of the police officer under conditions that allow independent verification. Ganduje’s disclaimer is not enough. He should also be questioned.”