‘Where is Dadiyata?’ – Kaduna Youths Storm Govt House, Demand Probe of El-Rufai

Kaduna youths and women marched to the Government House, demanding answers over the long disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly called Dadiyata.

The demonstrators also called for a sweeping public audit of the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The protest began on Thursday at the UTC roundabout in the state capital. From there, the crowd moved in an orderly procession, singing solidarity songs and displaying placards that questioned past governance and spending.

Messages on the placards included, “We demand public scrutiny, audit now,” “Malam Nasir El-Rufai, where is Dadiyata?” and “Publish loan agreement and spending breakdown now.”

Other signs reflected deep frustration over insecurity during the last administration. Some read, “Kaduna lived in fear, we want the truth,” and “Sponsoring protest cannot protect El-Rufai, he must still face prosecution.”

Dadiyata, a lecturer and outspoken social media commentator, was taken from his home in 2019 by unknown gunmen. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown. The case has continued to stir anger and suspicion within and outside Kaduna State.

Speaking during the protest, one of the organisers, Anas Yusuf, insisted the action was not driven by politics. “We are not here for politics; we are here for accountability,” he said.

He recalled years marked by attacks on communities, kidnappings and widespread fear, adding that those experiences could not be brushed aside.

Another organiser, Joseph Chori, described Dadiyata’s disappearance as “an open wound.” “A family still waits. Kaduna still asks: what happened?” he said.

Beyond the missing lecturer, the protesters demanded a public security review of the El-Rufai years. They also pressed for transparency over a $350 million loan secured from the World Bank, urging the government to release the loan agreement and details of how the funds were spent. According to them, public debt requires public explanation.

However, El-Rufai has repeatedly denied any role in Dadiyata’s disappearance. In a past interview on Arise TV, he said the lecturer was critical of another state government, not his administration.