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The family and legal representatives of human rights activist, Abdulmumin Imam, have raised concerns about his disappearance, alleging that he was abducted by a police officers from the Taraba State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), led by an officer identified as Sergeant Fala and officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.
Imam’s arrest, according to sources familiar with the case, is believed to be connected to his outspoken calls for transparency in the distribution of relief materials meant for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable residents in Taraba State.
A source, who spoke to journalists under condition of anonymity, alleged that the activist was taken away at gunpoint in a covert operation in Abuja.
“Serious concerns have arisen regarding the safety and whereabouts of Abdulmumin Imam following actions allegedly taken by officers of the Taraba State Police Command,” the source said.
“His whereabouts remains unknown after Sergeant Fala of the Taraba CID Police allegedly whisked him away by about 4am at gunpoint.”
According to the source, the sequence of events leading to his disappearance began with an official invitation by the police in Taraba State, requesting that he appear at their office.
Through his lawyer, he reportedly responded formally, stating that he was not resident in Taraba State and requested an alternative date to enable him to honour the invitation.
However, instead of responding to his counsel, the police allegedly tracked him to Abuja, where he was apprehended and taken into custody.
“He was detained overnight in a police cell alongside suspected kidnappers under unclear circumstances,” the source added.
Efforts by his family members and legal representatives to confirm his condition and gain access to him were reportedly unsuccessful, as calls to relevant authorities were ignored and later blocked.
“At approximately 3am, while relatives and concerned persons maintained presence at the SARS office gate, he was reportedly removed from detention and taken to an unknown location.
“As of now, his family and lawyers do not know his whereabouts, and he is no longer in police custody. This raises serious concerns about his safety and constitutional rights,” the source said.
The family has since called on members of the public, civil society organisations and relevant authorities to intervene urgently to ensure the immediate disclosure of his location, access to legal representation and guarantee for his safety and welfare.
“No citizen should disappear while in custody,” the source stressed. “Transparency in custodial matters is essential. May God protect Imam from what happened to Dadiyata.”
When SaharaReporters contacted Sergeant Fala, who was allegedly involved in the operation, he declined to provide details, directing inquiries to the Taraba State Police Command.
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“Contact the PPRO, Taraba State Police Command for clarification, please. Thanks,” he said.
In a related development, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, clarified that Sergeant Fala was not attached to the FCT Command but serves in Taraba State.
“The officer is not serving in FCT but in Taraba. Police officers from other commands can go to other commands with investigating authority based on whatever offence,” the FCT police boss explained.
“Since the police is one, we had to detain him for safety, thereafter, they proceeded to their own command. The best thing is to call the CP in Taraba.
“I called Fala and told him to bring the suspect so I can interview him and understand the issue, but he told me they left by 3am and were already in Taraba.”
Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Morkwap S. Dongshal, proved abortive, as he neither answered calls nor responded to text messages sent to him.
Similarly, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, did not respond to calls or messages seeking clarification on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Echuseh Audu, whose petition allegedly triggered Imam’s arrest, also failed to respond to calls and messages sent by SaharaReporters as of the time of filing this report.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported allegations that Dr. Audu sought to use the police to intimidate and silence Imam over his persistent demands for accountability concerning relief items reportedly distributed under her supervision.
The agency led by Audu is responsible for delivering emergency support to displaced persons and disadvantaged communities across Taraba State, a region frequently affected by humanitarian crises arising from communal clashes and natural disasters.
Imam, known for using his social media platforms to question whether aid meant for IDPs and low-income residents was reaching its intended beneficiaries, reportedly became the subject of a police petition initiated by the SEMA chief.
According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, Audu accused Imam of cyberbullying, defamation of character after he publicly questioned the transparency of the agency’s relief distribution process.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on Tuesday evening, a source narrated how the officers allegedly stormed Imam’s residence in a Gestapo-style operation and physically assaulted him after he demanded proper identification.
“One officer Fala slapped him for asking him to identify himself. He pushed him into the moving car. Imam is at the FCT CID. Maybe tomorrow, he will be moved to Taraba,” the source had said.
