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Amnesty International Slams FG Over Six-year Silence On Missing Activist Dadiyata

Published

47 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Six years after the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, Amnesty International on Saturday took a swipe at the Federal Government over what it described as “deafening silence and shameful inaction” in resolving the activist’s disappearance.

According to The PUNCH, Dadiyata, a university lecturer, fierce government critic, and online political commentator, was reportedly taken by masked men from his home in Kaduna on August 2, 2019.

He had just returned from work when the armed men whisked him away in his own vehicle.

Since that night, neither he nor his car has been seen again.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna during a press conference organised to mark the sixth anniversary of the incident, Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, described Dadiyata’s case as a disturbing metaphor for the Nigerian state’s growing hostility to dissent.

“His family waited that night, hoping he’d walk back in. They waited the next day. Then weeks, months, now six years.

“We are still asking the same question — Where is Dadiyata?” he said.

Sanusi described the government’s posture since 2019 as negligent and complacent

“Even if the government claims it didn’t take him, it failed to protect him. That is a fundamental breach of responsibility,” he declared.

He accused the security agencies, particularly the police and the Department of State Services, of issuing “weak and weightless promises” and treating the case with levity.

“Till today, there has been no credible update, no official report, no accountability. Just silence. Shameful silence,” Sanusi said.

He warned that the nature of the abduction bore the hallmark of “enforced disappearance,” a tactic associated with authoritarian regimes aimed at stifling dissent and intimidating civic voices.

“This is not just about Dadiyata. It’s about a dangerous trend. This is a warning to anyone who dares to speak truth to power in Nigeria,” Sanusi said.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to break the silence and direct a full, independent investigation into the case, noting that the Buhari administration failed woefully in that regard.

“Time is running out. The family needs closure. The country needs answers. The government must be the search party,” he said.

Also speaking, Dadiyata’s brother, Usman Idris, painted a grim picture of a family torn apart by trauma and unanswered questions.

“Our mother died with a broken heart. She waited and waited. Our uncle couldn’t take the pain — he passed too. And now, our father is barely holding on,” he said.

Fighting back emotion, Usman insisted that his brother was never a criminal, but a patriot who dared to believe in a better Nigeria.

“Abubakar believed in using his voice, not violence. He believed the pen could change this country. And he paid the price for it,” he said.

Usman noted that the family had written to every relevant authority — from the Inspector-General of Police to the Director-General of the DSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation — but none had provided any credible answers.

“Six years. Not one official explanation. Not one apology. Just silence,” he lamented.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking moment came from Dadiyata’s wife, Khadija Ahmad Lame, who broke down as she shared how their children had lived in confusion and grief.

“They ask me every day, ‘Where is Daddy?’ And I have no answers. Six years of pain. Six years of helplessness. Six years without closure,” she said.

Amnesty International said it would continue to push for answers and justice not only for Dadiyata but for every Nigerian who has suffered similar violations.

The rights organisation also warned of worsening attacks on civil liberties in Nigeria, including online harassment, arbitrary arrests, and state-sponsored intimidation of journalists and activists.

“Justice delayed must not become justice denied. The Nigerian government must stop pretending. Someone must be held accountable. Six years is enough.

“Dadiyata’s disappearance is part of a broader climate of fear. It sends a message — ‘speak, and you vanish.’ That must not be allowed to stand,” Sanusi said.

Related Topics:#FG Amnesty International

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UNICEF Urges Women To Breastfeed Babies Within One Hour Of Birth, Warns Against Breastmilk Substitutes Usage

Published

5 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on pregnant women in Borno State to initiate their newborns into breastmilk consumption within one hour of birth

Speaking during the flag-off event of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week on Saturday in Maiduguri, the state capital, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Busiku, stated that only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed

According to him, this year’s theme, “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System”, highlights the urgent need to prioritise actions and systems leading to equitable access to breastfeeding, especially for vulnerable women in rural and conflict-affected areas.

He said, “Only 35.5 per cent of children in Nigeria were initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, and only 28.8 per cent were exclusively breastfed.

“Every child born in Borno State deserves to be initiated to breastmilk within one hour of birth, exclusively, breastfed for the next six months of life and continue breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond”

Francis also warned against the use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water, while noting that it poses a serious health risk to infants

“The use of breastmilk substitutes and unsafe water in our communities can pose serious risks to the health of infants. It is therefore critical that the state enacts, enforces, and monitors the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes to protect children and promote breastfeeding,” he advised.

He emphasised that breast milk provides all essential nutrients infants need in the first six months and offers maximum protection against illness and supports health growth and development

The UNICEF boss further called on the Borno state government and stakeholders to strengthen maternal protection polices, increase funding support, revitalise baby-friendly initiatives and prioritise community-level nutrition interventions.

“Together, through strategic partnerships, innovative approaches, and sustained commitment, we can transform breastfeeding practices across Borno state. UNICEF remains steadfast in its support to the government and partners in this vital vision”, he concluded.

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NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

Published

31 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, to immediately withdraw what it described as an unconstitutional order shutting down Badeggi FM in the state.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN), in a statement on Saturday, emphasised that only the National Broadcasting Commission had the legal authority to regulate or shut down broadcasting operations in the country as anything contrary will amount to press gagging.

The Association urged the governor to rescind his directive ordering the immediate closure of the privately owned Badeggi 90.1 FM.

It stressed that the action, reportedly carried out through instructions to the State Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Homeland Security, allegedly involved profiling the station’s owner and marking the premises for demolition.

The statement read, “This constitutes executive rascality of the highest order. It is a blatant abuse of power that undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law. The Governor lacks the constitutional or legal authority to revoke broadcast licences or shut down any media establishment. In Nigeria, only the National Broadcasting Commission has the statutory mandate to regulate broadcasting, including the suspension or revocation of licences, subject to due process.

“It is imperative to state that the Commissioner of Police or any security agency must not act on unlawful executive directives. Security agencies are bound by law to act within constitutional limits and not as instruments for political intimidation or media suppression.

“The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Section 39, including the right to own, operate, and access media. No person, regardless of office, has the right to arbitrarily restrict or shut down a media house without due process of law. This unlawful closure, without regulatory sanction or judicial backing, is a dangerous assault on press freedom and democratic governance.”

The NBA further stated that Governor Bago’s directive is entirely unlawful and of no legal effect.

Osigwe maintained that the Commissioner of Police and other relevant authorities must refuse to implement illegal orders that infringe on constitutional rights, reiterating that media regulation must follow due process through established statutory mechanisms, not arbitrary executive action.

The Association also noted that the actions taken against Badeggi FM constitute a direct affront to press freedom and violate Nigeria’s democratic norms.

“We call on Governor Bago to immediately withdraw this directive and refrain from further unconstitutional acts. The NBA also urges all levels of government to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional boundaries, and protect the freedom of the press. A free and independent media is not a privilege – it is a constitutional right and a cornerstone of any democratic society,” the statement read.

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NGE Reacts As Govt Closes Radio Station In Niger

Published

34 minutes ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the recent closure of Badeggi Radio by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, describing the action as a direct assault on press freedom and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, on Saturday, the Guild said the governor acted outside his constitutional powers and bypassed due process in ordering the shutdown of the station.

“This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where a free press is essential for holding those in power accountable,” the Guild said.

Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the NGE emphasised that press freedom and freedom of expression are guaranteed rights that must be protected.

The Guild noted that only the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission has the legal authority to sanction broadcast stations, and only after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the broadcast code.

“The closure of Badeggi Radio, a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, is a worrying trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy.

“Governor Bago acted outside his powers to order the closure of a radio station. The power to sanction television and radio stations only lies with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after a thorough investigation of any alleged breach of the Code.

“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out. This should go beyond observing the anomaly.

“The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station while an investigation is carried out,” the statement read.

The editors likened the governor’s action to the arbitrary clampdowns experienced during military rule, warning that such decisions erode the democratic progress made since 1999.

“Arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule, which ended 26 years ago,” the Guild stated.

While acknowledging that Bago had alleged that the station incited violence, the Guild insisted that such a serious accusation must first be investigated and proven before any punitive measure is taken.

“Governor Bago’s allegation of incitement of violence by the radio station is a serious issue, which has to be investigated and proven before any action can be taken. We urge the media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals,” the statement read.

The editors urged media professionals to operate responsibly and adhere strictly to the code of ethics of journalism, but stressed that due process must always be followed by authorities.

“The Guild reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy and demands that governments at all levels respect and uphold this fundamental right,” the statement concluded.