The Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to initiate a transparent and independent investigation into the forced disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris since August 2019.

The 34-year-old activist, popularly known as Dadiyata, was, until his disappearance, a lecturer at Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA). He was reportedly seized by unidentified armed men as he arrived at his home in Barnawa, Kaduna State.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the group also charged the police to make public all available information, including recent public statements; release the findings of the investigation to the public and communicate them clearly to the Idris family; as well as ensure full accountability for those responsible.

It added: “We reiterate that enforced disappearance poses a grave threat to civic space and has no place in any democratic society.”

According to AGFCS, local and international civil society organisations widely condemned Dadiyata’s disappearance and filed many lawsuits challenging the circumstances surrounding it.

However, Dadiyata’s whereabouts remain unknown, representing one of Nigeria’s most troubling unresolved cases of enforced disappearance of civic actors.

Recently, there have been claims that Dadiyata’s disappearance was politically motivated.

“Whether the recent claims are accurate or not, the only responsible path forward is a prompt, independent and transparent investigation by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF),” it added.

Media reports reference possible knowledge of those responsible, including mention of an alleged confession by a police officer.

“Enforced disappearance is a grave human rights violation and a threat to constitutional guarantees of the rights to life, liberty, dignity and freedom of expression under the Constitution, and other extant international human rights instruments.

“When individuals, especially civic actors, disappear without accountability, fear spreads and civic space shrinks. Dadiyata’s family is owed truth and closure, and Nigeria is owed accountability. Justice must not be allowed to remain in abeyance.”

The statement was signed by African Focus for Youth Development (AFFYD), Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peace Building (Kaduna), Spaces for Change (S4C) West Africa, Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (Kwara), and Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative (REJA).

Others are Community Youths Arise Network (Bayelsa), Entrepreneurship Initiative for African Youth (EIFAY Africa), Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation (FCT), Elixir Trust Foundation, Open Society on Justice Reform Project (OSJRP), Dandalin Matasa Initiative for Rapid Development, and RULAAC. (The Guardian)