The mysterious disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who was abducted from his home in Kaduna in early August 2019, continues to be a source of intense public debate and political friction. His whereabouts have remained unknown since he was taken from his residence in the Barnawa neighbourhood, sparking concern among family members, supporters, and human rights advocates.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has clarified Dadiyata's critical stance, stating unequivocally that the activist was a core critic of the Kaduna State Government and its then-governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and not of the Kano State Government or Abdullahi Ganduje. Sani emphasized that Dadiyata hailed from and resided in Kaduna, and his critical views were widely known within the state. He also highlighted the lack of official statement or visit from the Kaduna State government to Dadiyata's family since the abduction, noting that fear permeated discussions about the case among authorities, including the Police and the State House of Assembly.

The controversy was reignited following media reports of comments made by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who alleged that former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was responsible for Dadiyata’s abduction. During an interview, El-Rufai was quoted as stating that Dadiyata's criticism was directed at the Kano government, asserting, "He is a critic of the Kano government, it was Ganduje that was his problem, go and check his timeline, I don’t even know him." El-Rufai further claimed that Kaduna State authorities only became aware of Dadiyata's existence after his family reported the abduction to the police, clarifying that Kaduna State authorities were not involved in the disappearance.

In response, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, through a statement signed by his former Commissioner for Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba, vehemently rejected El-Rufai's allegations. Ganduje described the claims as “reckless, unfounded, and a clear attempt to shift responsibility for an incident that occurred in Kaduna State.” The statement underscored that Dadiyata "lived and operated in Kaduna, where his criticisms were directed, and security responsibility at the time rested with the Kaduna State Government and federal agencies." Garba questioned the absence of verifiable evidence for such serious accusations, dismissing them as political rhetoric. He urged a focus on lawful and transparent investigations into Dadiyata’s disappearance rather than politicizing the painful and unresolved matter, emphasizing that accountability must be based on facts and due process.

Amidst this political back-and-forth, the global human rights body, Amnesty International, has renewed its urgent calls for an independent, public, and resourceful investigation into Dadiyata’s disappearance. In a statement titled “Where Is Dadiyata?”, the organization linked his alleged abduction to his outspoken critical presence on social media. Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the prolonged uncertainty and the anguish experienced by Dadiyata's family, stressing that ensuring accountability in cases of enforced disappearance is essential for upholding human rights and the rule of law. Civil society groups and activists continue to demand clarity and transparency from both Kaduna State and federal security agencies.