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The Department of State Services (DSS) has reopened investigations into the 2019 disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, and is set to invite suspects for questioning in connection with the case.

Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, was declared missing on August 1, 2019, after gunmen reportedly abducted him from his residence in Kaduna State.

Nearly seven years after the incident, his whereabouts remain unknown.

A security source disclosed that the DSS had revived the case alongside other unresolved cases of missing persons.

“The DSS has reopened the case of the 2019 disappearance in Kaduna of a renowned government critic, Abubakar Idris, better known as Dadiyata, and several other cases of missing persons,” the source told The PUNCH.

The development comes amid renewed public attention following a video interview released by ambassador-designate Reno Omokri on his X handle.

In the interview, Kadijah, Dadiyata’s wife, expressed fresh concerns over her husband’s disappearance and appealed for help.

“We pray that one day, he will come back,” she said when asked about the long years of uncertainty.

Appealing to Nigerians, she added, “They should please do whatever they can to help us know his whereabouts, if he’s alive or not.”

Kadijah recounted how her husband was abducted as he alighted from his car in their compound on August 2, 2019, saying she witnessed the incident from a window.

She also reacted to an old social media comment allegedly made by the son of a former governor, describing how she felt upon seeing the post.

“I felt bad about it (the comment). I can’t even explain,” she said.

Omokri, who visited the family, called for support and urged the Kaduna State Government to assist.

“Nigeria owes a duty of care to this family for what has happened to them,” he said, appealing to Governor Uba Sani to consider measures such as relocation, educational support for the children, or employment assistance for Kadijah.

The case resurfaced recently after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, denied involvement in the disappearance.

“Dadiyata was not a fierce critic of the Kaduna State government. He was a fierce critic of the Kano State government,” El-Rufai said, insisting that he only became aware of the lecturer after the abduction was reported.

“If anybody is to be asked about the disappearance of Dadiyata, it is the Kano State Government; it has nothing to do with the Kaduna State Government. We didn’t even know he existed,” he added.

Reacting, former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, dismissed the claims as “reckless” and “a clear attempt to shift responsibility.”

“Everyone in Kaduna knew the nature of the criticism he made and who it was directed at,” Ganduje said in a statement.

Sources also disclosed that the DSS recently seized El-Rufai’s passport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to prevent him from travelling abroad while investigations are ongoing.

“El’Rufai is fully aware that the DSS is investigating him and his two sons for Dadiyata’s kidnapping,” the source alleged.

The Service is reportedly set to invite El-Rufai’s sons for questioning as part of the reopened investigation.

Punch