Dadiyata's Wife Makes Emotional Plea After Six Years of Uncertainty
Khadija Ahmad Lame, the wife of prominent online activist Dadiyata, has issued a heartfelt plea for her husband's return after more than six years of mysterious disappearance. In a recent interview conducted on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at their Kaduna residence, Khadija urged those allegedly responsible for her husband's abduction to fear God and return him, whether dead or alive.
The Mysterious Disappearance of a Vocal Critic
Dadiyata, whose real name is Abubakar Idris, vanished under suspicious circumstances in August 2019. The 34-year-old university lecturer and political commentator was reportedly intercepted by unidentified armed men as he drove into his compound in Barnawa, Kaduna State. Witnesses described a coordinated operation that has left his family in anguish for nearly seven years.
Khadija provided chilling details of the incident, stating she personally witnessed the abduction from inside their home. "I saw everything through the window," she revealed during the interview conducted with former presidential aide Reno Omokri present. Despite the passage of time, the family maintains hope for his eventual return, with Khadija expressing: "We pray one day, he will come back, if he is alive or not."
Political Allegations and Counterclaims
The case has taken significant political dimensions with former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai making startling claims about the circumstances of Dadiyata's disappearance. El-Rufai asserted that the activist was actually abducted from his Kaduna home by police officers dispatched from Kano State, contradicting earlier speculation about state involvement.
More controversially, El-Rufai claimed that Dadiyata was never a critic of his administration but rather focused his criticism on former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje. This allegation has been met with strong denial from Ganduje, who dismissed El-Rufai's statements as baseless and politically motivated fabrications designed to shift blame.
Human Rights Organizations Demand Accountability
Multiple human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have classified Dadiyata's case as an enforced disappearance. These groups have maintained consistent pressure on Nigerian authorities to provide answers and ensure accountability for what they describe as a grave human rights violation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially stated that it does not know Dadiyata's whereabouts, leaving the investigation at a standstill. No group has claimed responsibility for his disappearance, and his exact location remains unknown despite extensive efforts by family members and advocacy organizations.
Legal Implications and Family Tragedy
Under Nigerian law, Dadiyata faces a critical deadline in August 2026. If he remains unfound by that time, he will be legally declared dead, adding another layer of urgency to the search efforts. The family has endured multiple tragedies during this period, including the recent death of Dadiyata's 66-year-old mother at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.
Dadiyata was known as a prominent social media influencer and staunch supporter of former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. His disappearance has become emblematic of concerns about freedom of expression and political dissent in Nigeria, with many viewing his case as a test of the country's commitment to protecting citizens' rights.
The family continues to seek answers through both official channels and public advocacy, maintaining that until concrete evidence emerges, they will continue to hope for Dadiyata's safe return. The case has sparked broader conversations about political accountability and the protection of activists in Nigeria's increasingly complex security environment.
