El-Rufai Finally Opens Up on Dadiyata's Abduction in Trending Video Interview
Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has broken his silence on the mysterious abduction of social media critic and lecturer, Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata, who has been missing since 2019. In a trending video interview on Arise News aired on Friday, February 13, 2026, El-Rufai addressed the long-standing case that has fueled public speculation and outrage over the years.
El-Rufai Claims Ignorance and Points to Kano State Involvement
During the interview, El-Rufai stated that he did not know Dadiyata personally until after the critic's family reported the abduction to the police. He emphasized that Dadiyata was primarily a critic of the Kano state government under former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, rather than the Kaduna state government. El-Rufai alleged that police operations originating from Kano state were responsible for kidnapping Dadiyata from his residence in Kaduna, leading to his disappearance.
A police confession has emerged, adding a new layer to the case. El-Rufai revealed that three years after the abduction, a policeman who was posted from Kano to Ekiti confessed to an individual that they were sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata and expressed remorse about the action. This revelation has intensified scrutiny on the cross-state nature of the operation and the lack of accountability in the investigation.
Public Outrage Grows Over El-Rufai's Inaction and Accountability
The interview has sparked widespread reactions from Nigerians on social media, with many questioning El-Rufai's role as the former chief security officer of Kaduna State. Critics argue that regardless of Dadiyata's political affiliations, his abduction on Kaduna soil should have prompted immediate and thorough investigation by El-Rufai's administration.
Key points of public criticism include:
- Why did it take six years for El-Rufai to publicly address the abduction?
- As chief security officer, why was there no arrest or follow-up on the police confession?
- How could a cross-state kidnapping occur without consequences under his watch?
Social media users have expressed frustration, with hashtags like #WhereIsDadiyata trending, demanding answers and justice for the missing critic. Some have accused El-Rufai of playing ignorant or dismissing the issue as a Kano problem, highlighting what they see as administrative indifference.
Background on Dadiyata's Case and El-Rufai's Political Context
Dadiyata, a vocal critic known for his social media activism, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts remain unknown. The case has been a source of controversy, with initial suspicions pointing to various political actors. El-Rufai's recent statements have shifted focus to potential involvement from Kano state authorities, though no formal accusations have been made against Ganduje.
In related political news, El-Rufai also used the interview to urge opposition unity against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections, citing personal incidents like an airport arrest attempt as motivation. This adds context to his current political stance and public engagements.
The abduction of Dadiyata continues to raise serious questions about security, governance, and human rights in Nigeria, with calls for a renewed investigation into the cross-state operations and the confession revealed by El-Rufai.
