society
Vanished in the Night: Questions, Rights and the Rule of Law in the Disappearance of a Kaduna Politician
Vanished in the Night: Questions, Rights and the Rule of Law in the Disappearance of a Kaduna Politician
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | SaharaWeeklyNG
“As uncertainty surrounds the fate of Hon. Kamaluddeen Abdullahi, Nigeria confronts the deeper crisis of unlawful detentions, insecurity and eroding public trust.”
The sudden disappearance of Hon. Kamaluddeen Abdullahi, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship aspirant from Limancin Kona Ward in Kaduna State, has triggered alarm, confusion and outrage among political observers, civil society advocates and residents of the community. According to accounts from family members and associates, unidentified men arrived at his residence on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in two vehicles (a brown Toyota Sienna and a black Toyota Corolla) and forcibly took him away without presenting a warrant or offering any explanation. Days later, there remains no official confirmation of his whereabouts, the agency responsible or the reason for the alleged arrest.
The incident, still shrouded in uncertainty, speaks to a larger national anxiety about due process, state accountability and the rule of law in Nigeria. Whether the act was a criminal abduction or a security operation conducted outside the bounds of constitutional procedure, the absence of official information raises troubling questions about citizens’ rights and the state’s responsibility to uphold them.
Under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the rights of arrested or detained persons are clearly defined. Section 35 stipulates that any individual taken into custody must be informed promptly of the reasons for their arrest and brought before a court within a “reasonable time.” This reasonable time is interpreted as 24 hours where a competent court is within reach, and 48 hours in other cases.
The law further guarantees access to legal representation and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Legal analysts emphasize that these provisions are not merely procedural formalities but the bedrock of democratic governance. Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana has consistently argued that constitutional safeguards against arbitrary detention are essential to protecting citizens from state abuse and ensuring humane treatment in custody.
If the claims surrounding Abdullahi’s disappearance are accurate and if he was indeed taken by security operatives without explanation, then the matter transcends partisan politics. It becomes a question of constitutional compliance and public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
Across Nigeria, similar cases have drawn scrutiny from civil society and international observers. In 2024, the detention of investigative journalist Daniel Ojukwu for over a week without being charged in court sparked criticism from press freedom advocates and human rights groups, who described the act as a violation of Nigeria’s own legal standards.
The Committee to Protect Journalists noted that the law requires suspects to be charged or released within 48 hours, warning that prolonged detentions undermine democratic norms.
Such incidents have contributed to a growing perception that Nigeria’s criminal justice system often falls short of constitutional guarantees. Scholars of African governance frequently point out that when citizens cannot distinguish between lawful arrests and unlawful abductions, the legitimacy of the state itself is called into question.
Political scientist Professor Larry Diamond of Stanford University has long argued that “the rule of law is the foundation of all democratic governance; without it, institutions become instruments of coercion rather than justice.” His observation resonates strongly in situations where arrests occur without transparency, accountability or judicial oversight.
The circumstances of Abdullahi’s disappearance also unfold against the backdrop of a broader security crisis in northern Nigeria. Kaduna State, like much of the region, has faced persistent threats from banditry, kidnappings, and armed attacks on communities. A recent report highlighted the abduction of hundreds of worshippers from churches in Kaduna, with conflicting accounts from authorities and religious leaders regarding the fate of the victims.
The discrepancy in official narratives has deepened public mistrust and reinforced fears that citizens are increasingly vulnerable with both to criminal gangs and to opaque security operations.
This climate of insecurity complicates the narrative surrounding any disappearance. In a country where kidnappings for ransom are widespread, the line between criminal abduction and unofficial detention can become dangerously blurred. The result is a population that feels unprotected and uncertain about the institutions meant to guarantee its safety.
Legal scholars warn that arbitrary arrests or unexplained detentions, even when conducted under the banner of national security, can produce long-term damage to democratic culture. Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a former chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, has often noted that “when the state itself begins to disregard the law, it licenses lawlessness in society.” His statement underscores the paradox of a system in which the guardians of order may, intentionally or otherwise, undermine the very legal framework they are meant to enforce.
The Nigerian Constitution also requires that any person arrested must be informed in writing of the grounds for their arrest within 24 hours and granted access to legal counsel.
These provisions are intended to prevent precisely the kind of uncertainty now surrounding Abdullahi’s disappearance. Without official confirmation of an arrest, neither his family nor the public can determine whether he is in lawful custody, being interrogated, or has fallen victim to criminal activity.
International human rights standards reinforce these principles. The United Nations’ Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both emphasize the right to prompt judicial review and access to legal counsel. Such safeguards are designed to prevent enforced disappearances and one of the most serious human rights violations recognized under international law.
For communities like Limancin Kona Ward, the disappearance of a local political figure carries profound implications. At the grassroots level, political aspirants often serve as the link between citizens and the machinery of governance. When such individuals vanish without explanation, the chilling effect on civic participation can be immediate and severe.
Beyond the legal and political dimensions lies a human story, one of a family left in anguish, a community gripped by uncertainty, and a nation wrestling with questions of justice. The absence of official communication is itself a form of institutional failure. Transparency is not a courtesy; it is a constitutional obligation.
Public policy experts often stress that security agencies must balance the demands of national security with the imperatives of civil liberties. As former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan once observed, “There is no trade-off between effective action against terrorism and the protection of human rights. On the contrary, human rights are the bedrock of any successful counter-terrorism strategy.” His words remain relevant wherever security operations risk crossing into illegality or opacity.
At present, the central question remains unanswered: where is Hon. Kamaluddeen Abdullahi? Without a clear statement from the police, the Department of State Services, or any other security agency, speculation will continue to fill the void. In an era of deepening mistrust between citizens and institutions, silence from authorities is rarely neutral, it is often interpreted as complicity, incompetence, or concealment.
The situation demands immediate clarification. If Abdullahi was lawfully arrested, the agency responsible must disclose the charges, grant him access to legal counsel, and bring him before a court within the constitutionally mandated timeframe. If he was abducted by criminals, then a swift and transparent investigation is equally essential.
Justice, as legal philosopher Lon Fuller famously argued, depends not only on the content of laws but on their faithful application. “A system that proclaims rules but fails to follow them,” Fuller wrote, “ceases to be a legal system at all.” His words capture the stakes of this unfolding episode.
Until credible information emerges, the disappearance of Hon. Kamaluddeen Abdullahi will remain more than a local incident. It will stand as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law, the sanctity of human rights, and the basic promise that no citizen should vanish without a trace.
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
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