By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered an investigation into allegations linking two senior police officers to the disappearance and alleged killing of social media activist and lecturer, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.
The officers named in the allegations are CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba.
The directive followed petitions submitted on Friday by a Kano-based activist and human rights lawyer, Abba Hikima.
According to the petitions, Muhammad Musa Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle, accused the officers of making threats against him. Kamarawa also alleged that the officers claimed they killed Dadiyata and other persons in his presence at Operations Yaki in Kaduna.
The petitions urged the police authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the claims.
One of the petitions stated that if the accusations were untrue, the investigation would clear the officers involved.
However, the petition added that if the allegations were established to be true, justice should prevail “irrespective of rank, office or influence.”
The petitions also expressed concern over the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Dadiyata’s whereabouts. They called for the establishment of an independent panel to investigate the matter.
The IGP acknowledged receipt of the petitions through his Principal Staff Officer, CF Lateef Adio Ahmed.
In a response, the police leadership confirmed that the case had been transferred to the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Monitoring Unit for immediate investigation.
The letter also assured the petitioners that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to justice and accountability.
Dadiyata was abducted from his residence in Barnawa area of Kaduna State in August 2019.
Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown. The case has continued to attract national attention and repeated calls for accountability.
