A group of residents in Kaduna State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the Government House, demanding a probe into the administration of former governor Nasir El-Rufai and renewed efforts to unravel the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata.
The demonstrators, made up of youths and women, first assembled at the UTC roundabout in Kaduna metropolis before marching to the Government House. Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, they called for transparency and accountability over events that occurred during the previous administration.
Messages displayed on their placards included demands for a public audit of El-Rufai’s tenure, publication of loan agreements, and clarification on the whereabouts of Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator who was abducted by gunmen from his residence in 2019 and has not been seen since. His disappearance has remained a subject of sustained public concern within and beyond the state.
Speaking to journalists during the demonstration, one of the protest leaders, Anas Yusuf, said the action was driven by a desire for accountability rather than political motives. He alleged that several communities experienced heightened insecurity during the past administration and insisted that questions surrounding governance, public spending, and security management must be addressed.
Another protest coordinator, Joseph Chori, described Dadiyata’s disappearance as unresolved and painful for many residents, stressing that his family and the wider public deserve clear answers.
The protesters also demanded an independent public security audit of the former administration, arguing that incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and community attacks during that period require thorough review.
In addition, they called for full disclosure of the $350 million loan obtained from the World Bank during El-Rufai’s tenure, urging the state government to publish the loan agreement and provide a detailed account of how the funds were utilised. According to the group, transparency is necessary because public debt ultimately falls on citizens.
El-Rufai has previously denied any involvement in Dadiyata’s disappearance. In an earlier interview on Arise TV, the former governor stated that the missing lecturer had been a critic of the Kano State government rather than his administration.
The protesters acknowledged what they described as relative calm in the state under the current governor, Uba Sani, noting that their demonstration was intended to strengthen democratic accountability rather than create instability.
They vowed to continue pressing for transparency and justice, insisting that public office holders must remain answerable for actions taken while in power.
