Reno Omokri Alleges El-Rufai, Sons Linked to Dadiyata’s Disappearance

Reno Omokri Alleges El-Rufai, Sons Linked to Dadiyata’s Disappearance

Former presidential aide and political commentator Reno Omokri has renewed allegations implicating former Nasir El-Rufa’i and his sons in the disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who has been missing since August 2, 2019, in Kaduna.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Omokri claimed that statements and social media posts by El-Rufa’i and his sons suggest they “have a strong case to answer” over Dadiyata’s abduction. Omokri cited a remark allegedly made by El-Rufa’i in 2019:

“Anybody that tries to criminalise Nasir El-Rufa’i should know that he has a battle on his hands till one of us drops dead.”

Omokri noted that Dadiyata had repeatedly criticised the former governor and alleged corruption and abuse of power in Kaduna State. He argued that the remark, combined with later statements by El-Rufa’i’s son, Bashir El-Rufa’i, indicated a potential link to the activist’s disappearance. Omokri cited a December 23, 2019, statement by Bashir warning that:

“Dangerous lies in the public space have consequences,”

referring to the trending hashtag #WhereIsDadiyata.

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Omokri also highlighted a post allegedly made by Bashir in August 2025, in which he threatened to “unalive” a social media user and their family, saying it would be “easier than you think” to locate them — a comment Omokri suggested implied access to tracking or surveillance.

Another son, Bello El-Rufa’i, was mentioned in Omokri’s post for allegedly sending threats to the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Honourable Yusuf Liman, during a probe into claims that ₦432 billion went missing from the state coffers. Omokri further cited a 2020 private message allegedly sent by Bello containing threats of sexual violence against women of Igbo descent.

Describing these statements as evidence of “death threats” and “bloodlust”, Omokri concluded that there is sufficient reason to question Nasir El-Rufa’i and his sons over Dadiyata’s disappearance. He also praised Dadiyata as “young, intelligent, handsome and fearless,” while referring to the El-Rufa’i family as “fiendish.”

As of February 2026, no formal charges have been filed against El-Rufa’i or his sons. Nigeria’s Department of State Services has reportedly reopened investigations into the case, and public pressure continues for accountability and justice in the long-running mystery.

Reno Omokri Alleges El-Rufai, Sons Linked to Dadiyata’s Disappearance