Reno Omokri Accuses El-Rufai, Sons of Involvement in Dadiyata’s Abduction
Former presidential aide and social commentator, Reno Omokri, has renewed allegations linking ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and his sons to the disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
Omokri said the former governor and his family have a “strong case to answer” over the matter.
The former media aide made the claims in a lengthy post shared on X on Friday, February 20, 2026. He pointed to past statements, public threats, and online conduct as circumstantial links to the abduction.
Dadiyata was taken from his residence in Kaduna on August 2, 2019. He has not been seen since. The activist was known for his sharp criticism of the El-Rufai administration while the former governor was in office.
In his post, Omokri recalled a statement credited to El-Rufai, where he said: “Anybody that tries to criminalise Nasir El-Rufa’i should know that he has a battle on his hands till one of us drops dead.”
Omokri argued that the remark became more significant when viewed against Dadiyata’s repeated allegations of wrongdoing against the former governor.
He also drew attention to a statement made on December 23, 2019, by El-Rufai’s son, Bashir El-Rufai, which read: “Dangerous lies in the public space have consequences.”
According to Omokri, the comment appeared to excuse or rationalise what later happened to the activist.
Omokri further cited a post allegedly made by Bashir in August 2025, where he threatened to “unalive” a social media user and their family. He highlighted the claim that locating the person was “easier than you think,” suggesting access to surveillance or tracking.
Another son, Bello El-Rufai, was also mentioned. Omokri alleged that Bello issued threats during a probe into claims of ₦432 billion missing from Kaduna State funds.
He also referenced a private message from 2020 that allegedly contained graphic threats against Igbo women.
Omokri described the pattern of statements as evidence of “death threats” and “blood lust.” He concluded that there is “DEFINITELY sufficient evidence” for the former governor and his sons to be questioned over Dadiyata’s disappearance.
He praised Dadiyata as “young, intelligent, handsome and fearless,” while describing the El-Rufai family as “fiendish.”
The allegations come amid renewed attention on the case. Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services, have reopened investigations into the disappearance and are expected to invite individuals of interest.
Dadiyata’s wife, Khadija Ahmad Lame, recently spoke in an interview where she expressed deep pain over alleged mockery by Bashir El-Rufai. She appealed for her husband’s return, “dead or alive,” to give the family closure.
El-Rufai has denied any involvement. Speaking on Arise TV in February 2026, he claimed Dadiyata criticised the Kano State government more than his Kaduna administration.
However, no formal charges have been filed against El-Rufai or his sons. The case remains unresolved, with public pressure continuing to mount for accountability.
