Amnesty International has strongly condemned the Nigerian government’s continued silence over the unresolved disappearance of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata, six years after he was abducted from his home in Kaduna State under unclear circumstances.
Dadiyata, a well-known public affairs commentator, social media critic, and lecturer at the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, was forcefully taken from his residence on the night of August 2, 2019, by masked men who arrived in his own vehicle. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown, and no one has been held accountable.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kaduna on Saturday, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the government’s failure to investigate or provide updates on the case has raised serious concerns about the safety of government critics and the broader state of human rights in Nigeria.
“Six years have passed and still, we ask the same question: Where is Dadiyata?” Sanusi said. “He was a fearless advocate for justice, a sharp voice on social media who many believe was targeted because of his criticism of government. Enforced disappearance is a tactic of fear in authoritarian regimes — it has no place in a democratic society.”
Sanusi emphasized that even if the state was not directly involved in the abduction, it has a legal obligation to protect Dadiyata’s rights and ensure a thorough investigation. “The government’s failure to act is a failure of responsibility. His rights to liberty, security, and freedom of expression were violated, and for six years, the state has done nothing meaningful to address this injustice,” he said.
Despite repeated petitions and appeals to the Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the family says there has been no credible investigation or progress report. “The silence is deafening. It is cruel. And it is completely unacceptable,” Sanusi added.
Amnesty International accused the Nigerian government of enabling a culture of impunity and suppressing civic space. “We’ve seen critics being intimidated, harassed, and detained. Dadiyata’s case cannot be swept under the rug. President Bola Tinubu must now demonstrate leadership and act where his predecessor failed,” Sanusi said.
The organization called on security agencies to urgently reopen the investigation and publicly disclose its findings. “Justice delayed is justice denied. The Idris family deserves answers, not endless silence,” Amnesty said.
Speaking at the event, Dadiyata’s elder brother, Usman Idris, described the family’s anguish as unending. “His abduction trampled on justice, human dignity, and the Constitution that is supposed to protect us. Our mother died waiting for him. Our uncle died in sorrow. Our father is alive but barely holding on,” he said.
He recounted how Abubakar, a devoted husband and father, was abducted in the dead of night — an act that left behind a trail of grief and questions. “He was not a criminal. He used his voice to speak truth to power — and for that, he disappeared.”
Dadiyata’s wife, Khadija Ahmad Lame, emotionally recalled the pain of raising their children without answers. “It’s been six years of silence. Six years of shouldering the burden alone. Our lives were broken the night he was taken, and the wounds have never healed,” she said.
As public pressure mounts and rights groups demand accountability, Dadiyata’s case continues to highlight Nigeria’s growing concerns over enforced disappearances, suppression of dissent, and the erosion of democratic norms. For the family and many others, justice remains elusive — and time is only deepening the wound.
