On a quiet night in Kaduna, armed men stormed the home of a government critic, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
It was August 2, 2019, a day etched in the memory of his family and supporters.
Since then, there has been no trace of Dadiyata, and no answers from the authorities.
This week, Amnesty International renewed its calls for justice, marking five painful years since his disappearance.
A Family Torn Apart
Dadiyata’s abduction unfolded around 1 a.m.
He had just returned home in his BMW car when unknown men breached the security of his house.
In moments, he was forced into his own vehicle and driven away.
Since that night, his family has lived in agony.
Speaking about their ordeal, Amnesty International said, “Dadiyata’s family and friends have been experiencing slow mental anguish for over five years.”
The global human rights organisation described the situation as a gross violation of human rights.
It further stated, “The Nigerian government has a responsibility to determine the fate — and whereabouts — of Dadiyata and all those who have disappeared.”
The Voice of a Movement
Dadiyata was more than just a critic of the government.
He was a respected member of the Kwankwasiyya movement, a political group with strong youth support.
Known for his humour and soft-spoken nature, Dadiyata’s influence extended beyond politics.
He was also a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma in Katsina State.
At just 34 years old, he was seen as a rising voice for change.
Amnesty: “A Strategy of Terror”
Amnesty International did not hold back in its criticism of the government.
“What happened to Dadiyata is used as a strategy to spread terror within society,” the organisation stated.
The human rights group highlighted the ripple effect of such abductions.
“The feeling of insecurity and fear such abduction generates is not limited to the close relatives of the disappeared, but also affects communities and society as a whole.”
Amnesty also called attention to Nigeria’s ongoing problem of enforced disappearances.
A Wider Crisis of Missing Persons
Dadiyata’s case is not an isolated one.
Enforced disappearances have become a troubling pattern in Nigeria.
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused the government of failing to protect its citizens.
The lack of accountability has only deepened the sense of fear and mistrust.
According to Amnesty, cases like Dadiyata’s highlight the urgent need for reforms in Nigeria’s security apparatus.
“There must be justice for Dadiyata and all victims of enforced disappearance,” the group emphasised.
Five Years of Silence
For Dadiyata’s family, every passing day is a painful reminder of unanswered questions.
His wife and children have lived in uncertainty, clinging to hope while fearing the worst.
His supporters have also continued to demand action, often using social media to keep his case in the public eye.
Yet, the government has remained largely silent.
The Buhari administration, under which Dadiyata was abducted, made no significant progress in investigating his case.
The current administration faces growing pressure to correct this inaction.
A Call for Accountability
Dadiyata’s disappearance is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to justice and human rights.
Amnesty International insists that the government must act.
“The authorities must urgently investigate Dadiyata’s disappearance and ensure that those responsible are held to account,” it said.
The organisation also urged international bodies to hold Nigeria to its obligations under human rights treaties.
