“Dadiyata Was Killed” — Investigator Confirms Death of Missing Influencer After Six Years

Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, a well-known social media influencer and political commentator from Kaduna State, has been confirmed dead, six years after he was abducted from his home. The confirmation came from investigative public commentator and social critic, Damilola Adekunle, following a private investigation into his disappearance.

Dadiyata was taken at gunpoint from his Barnawa residence on August 2, 2019, in an incident that shocked many across Nigeria. His case drew widespread attention, with growing suspicions that his abduction was politically motivated due to his outspoken support for former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso and his criticism of political elites.

In a post shared on Wednesday via her Facebook page, Adekunle stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that after thorough investigations, I can confirm that Idris Abubakar, popularly known as Dadiyata, is officially dead. #Dadiyata was killed.”

Her investigation was bolstered by a N10 million fund she launched on May 4, 2025, offering a reward for credible, fact-based information on Dadiyata’s fate. “If you know what happened to him, dead or alive, please come to my DM,” she had urged in the post.

Since his disappearance, Dadiyata’s family and supporters have been left without answers, while human rights groups like Amnesty International Nigeria repeatedly demanded accountability from the government. His mother, who tirelessly sought justice, passed away in 2022 without knowing what became of her son.