Six-Years After Disappearance, Dadiyata, Confirmed Dead

After nearly six years of uncertainty, grief, and unanswered questions, Abubakar Idris, a Kaduna-based university lecturer and influential political commentator known online as “Dadiyata,” has been officially confirmed dead.

His fate was revealed following a private, independent investigation led by public affairs analyst and social critic Damilola Adekunle.

Idris disappeared under mysterious circumstances on August 2, 2019. According to eyewitnesses and police reports at the time, he was abducted at gunpoint by unknown men at the gate of his home in Barnawa, Kaduna, shortly after returning from work at the Kaduna State University, where he lectured in Political Science.

At the time of his abduction, Dadiyata was a prominent voice on social media, particularly Twitter, where he frequently criticized government policies and supported the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

His disappearance sparked widespread speculation that his abduction was politically motivated—a claim that remained unproven as the authorities provided no conclusive updates for years.

In early 2025, Damilola Adekunle—a respected investigative public commentator—offered a ₦10 million reward for verifiable information on Dadiyata’s whereabouts. On June 11, 2025, Adekunle publicly declared that her investigation had reached a tragic but conclusive end.

“It is with a heavy heart, after a thorough and deeply painful investigation, that I confirm Abubakar Idris, known as Dadiyata, is dead,” she wrote on her official page.

Though Adekunle did not provide detailed findings regarding the cause of death or the identity of those responsible, she assured the public that the evidence she had gathered left no doubt about Dadiyata’s fate.

As of the time of this report, neither the Nigerian Police Force nor the Kaduna State Government has issued an official statement confirming or disputing the findings.

This continued silence has fueled public frustration over the authorities’ handling of the case since 2019.

In previous years, Amnesty International and several human rights organizations called on the Nigerian government to investigate Dadiyata’s disappearance transparently and hold those responsible accountable.

Those calls were largely unheeded, further deepening public suspicion and distrust.

Dadiyata’s family has endured an agonizing wait for answers. His mother, who had campaigned tirelessly for justice, passed away in 2022 without ever knowing the fate of her son. Friends, colleagues, and supporters have expressed heartbreak over the confirmation of his death and renewed calls for justice.

Online, the hashtag #WhereIsDadiyata—once a rallying cry—has transformed into #JusticeForDadiyata, as Nigerians demand accountability and a formal investigation into the circumstances of his death.

The case of Dadiyata has come to symbolize the dangers faced by vocal critics of government in Nigeria, especially those active on social media. His death marks a grim reminder of the risks attached to dissent in a volatile political climate.

Civil society organizations, legal advocates, and the general public are now urging the government to launch an independent probe and, if necessary, a judicial panel to investigate the failure to protect his rights and bring closure to his family and supporters.

As Nigeria grapples with growing concerns over civic space and freedom of expression, the final confirmation of Dadiyata’s death is not just a personal tragedy—it is a national reckoning.