Fresh controversy has emerged over the disappearance of social media critic and activist, Abubakar Idris Dadiyata, after a former aide to ex-Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, accused two senior police officers of killing the activist in his presence.
The allegation was made in a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police by Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Matawalle during his time as governor of Zamfara State.
In the petition, Kamarawa accused two police officers identified as CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba of extortion, theft, illegal search, intimidation and forcing him into silence while he was in detention.
The former aide also claimed that the officers threatened to kill him if he disclosed certain information relating to his relationship with political figures.
One of the most serious claims in the petition was his allegation that the officers killed Dadiyata and another individual identified as Saminu S/Fada Gusau in his presence at a location he described as “Operations Yaki” in Kaduna State.
Kamarawa wrote, “They threatened to kill me as they killed Dadiyata and Saminu S/Fada Gusau amongst others in my presence at Operations Yaki Kaduna.”
The petition, which has started generating reactions on social media and political circles, has renewed public attention on the long-standing mystery surrounding the disappearance of Dadiyata.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and outspoken social media commentator, disappeared in August 2019 after reportedly being abducted by armed men from his residence in Kaduna State. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown despite repeated demands by civil society groups, activists and family members for a proper investigation.
Over the years, several campaigns have been launched online and offline calling on security agencies to uncover the truth about his disappearance. However, no official conclusion has been reached on the matter.
Human rights organisations have also repeatedly raised concerns about unresolved cases of disappearances, unlawful detention and alleged abuse by security operatives in Nigeria.
In his petition, Kamarawa claimed the officers handling his case deliberately carried out what he described as a “partial investigation.”
According to him, during interrogation, the officers allegedly prevented him from speaking about his relationship with Matawalle, who currently serves as Minister of State for Defence.
Instead, he claimed the officers were more interested in his relationship with former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, whom he described as their “main target.”
Kamarawa alleged that all video recordings and statements obtained from him during detention were made under duress.
He stated that despite serving as SSA to Matawalle during his administration in Zamfara State, investigators allegedly stopped him from mentioning that relationship in his statements.
The former aide further accused the officers of extorting money from him while he was in detention.
According to the petition, he was allegedly forced on November 4, 2021, to sign a cheque and withdraw N3.6 million from his company’s account with UBA Bank before handing the cash over to the officers.
He claimed bank records and account statements could confirm the withdrawal.
Kamarawa also alleged that a man identified as Alhaji Hussaini Bosso acted as a middleman between the officers and his family members.
According to him, the middleman allegedly collected money from his family on several occasions with promises that the officers would not kill him.
The former aide further accused the officers of confiscating building materials linked to a contract awarded to him by the Sokoto State Government.
He claimed that while he was in detention, the officers travelled to Shinkafi Local Government Area, where the materials were stored, and allegedly removed the items from the warehouse.
According to the petition, part of the materials was allegedly taken away by the officers while the remaining items were deposited at the State Criminal Investigation Department office in Sokoto and later labelled as exhibits.
Kamarawa stated that documents relating to the government contract were attached to support his claims.
The petition also accused the officers of carrying out an illegal search of his residence on October 14, 2021.
He alleged that the officers searched his house without a valid search warrant and carted away valuables, including cash and gold.
According to him, a search warrant later presented in court contained conflicting dates and irregularities.
He claimed the warrant indicated that the search was conducted on October 13, 2021, while signatures attributed to his wife and brother carried different dates.
Kamarawa further alleged that some of the seized items were never officially documented or handed over to the court as exhibits.
The former aide accused the officers of continuous persecution because he allegedly refused to surrender part of his seized property to them.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to order a thorough investigation into the matter, saying such action would help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security system.
“Holistic investigation needs to be carried out so as to serve as a deterrent to others,” he wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not officially responded to the allegations contained in the petition.
Similarly, the officers named in the petition had not publicly reacted to the claims.
The latest allegations are likely to intensify public debate over accountability within Nigeria’s security agencies, especially regarding allegations of abuse of power, unlawful detention and unresolved disappearances.
The disappearance of Dadiyata remains one of the most talked-about unresolved cases involving a government critic in recent years.
Many Nigerians, particularly activists and social media users, continue to demand answers over what happened to him nearly seven years after he vanished.
The fresh claims by Kamarawa are expected to increase pressure on the police authorities to revisit the matter and address the serious allegations raised in the petition.
However, legal experts note that the claims remain allegations until officially investigated and proven.