Police arrest Shiktivist imam for criticizing aid distribution in Taraba

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force belonging to the Federal Capital Territory Criminal Investigation Department (FCT CID) have reportedly arrested human rights activist Abdulmumin Imam in Abuja, following a petition lodged by the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Echuseh Audu.

The arrest is said to be linked to the Imam’s public calls for transparency in the distribution of relief materials meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable residents in Taraba state.

The Audu-led agency is responsible for providing emergency support to displaced and disadvantaged communities in Taraba State, a region often affected by humanitarian crises resulting from community clashes and natural disasters.

Imam, known for using his social media platforms to question whether aid intended for internally displaced people and low-income residents was reaching its intended beneficiaries, has reportedly become the subject of a police petition initiated by the head of SEMA.

According to documents shared with journalists, Audu accused Imam of cyberbullying and defamation after he publicly questioned the transparency of the agency’s aid distribution process.

A source had told how the officers stormed the Imam’s residence in a Gestapo-style operation and physically assaulted him after he asked for proper identification.

“An officer slapped Imam for asking him to identify himself. He pushed him into the moving car. Imam is at FCT CID. Maybe tomorrow he will be transferred to Taraba,” the source said.

However, the activist maintained that he had never refused to cooperate with the authorities and that he had already indicated, through his lawyer, a willingness to honor a police invitation once adequate notice had been provided.

Meanwhile, Imam’s lawyer, Charles Ude, had earlier written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Jalingo, Taraba State, on March 30, 2026, regarding an invitation letter sent to the activist.

In the letter, Ude confirmed that his client was willing to cooperate with investigators but requested a more convenient date to enable him to make adequate logistical arrangements, stressing that Imam was not in Jalingo at the time of the invitation.

The letter reads in part: “We are acting as lawyers towards Mr. Abdulmumin Imam in relation to his letter dated March 2026.

“Our client informs us that the aforementioned invitation was only brought to his attention recently. We note that the letter refers to an investigation involving allegations of cyberbullying, criminal defamation and criminal intimidation. However, the details of the complaint and the basis on which our client is implicated have not been disclosed.

“Nonetheless, our client is a law-abiding citizen and is willing to cooperate with your office.

“However, due to the short notice and his prior professional and personal commitments, as well as the fact that he is currently out of Jalingo, he is unable to honor the invitation on the scheduled date.

“In the circumstances, we respectfully request that a more convenient date be communicated, preferably towards the end of April 2026, to allow our client to make the necessary logistical and professional arrangements.

“We trust that this request will be given due consideration.”

On March 29, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that Audu had voluntarily submitted herself to investigative and security authorities for examination following allegations spread in a Facebook post accusing the agency of diverting relief materials.

According to reports, Audu reported to several agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor of Taraba State and the state Ministry of Justice, requesting a thorough investigation into the claims.

The allegations, which originated from Facebook and later spread across social media platforms, alleged that more than 10,000 bags of rice and over 1,000 cartons of peanut oil intended for internally displaced people and other vulnerable groups were diverted and sold outside the state.